HONORS PS1500 - Physics in the Plays of Tom Stoppard

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Act 2, p. 55 - 76 --- Questions for Discussion

  • What does the "looking for South" dialogue on pp 58, 59 say about R&G's different approaches to understanding the world? What can you say about their individual successes?

  • What is Guil= s speech on p 60 ("Wheels have been set in motion ...") about?

  • Can we make progress without memory? What do Guil= s lines on p 61 (A We cross our bridges when we come to them ...@ ) say about this?

  • Comment on Ros= idea of death and his attitude toward it (p 70).

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    Acting Assignments for R&G Are Dead

    1. Act 2, pp. 56 - 60 (Two parts: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern)

    Starts with Guil: Hm?

    Ends with Guil: Envy him; in his two-fold security.

    2. Act 2, pp. 66 - 69 (Three parts: Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Player)

    Starts with Guil: But for God= s sake what are we supposed to do?!

    Ends with Ros: Ha! It= s beginning to make sense! Unrequited passion!

    3. Act 2, pp. 70 - 72 (Two parts: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern)

    Starts with Guil: Yes, one must think of the future.

    Ends with Guil: Death followed by eternity ... the worst of both worlds.  It is a terrible thought.

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    Last modified:  Friday, March 26, 2004 11:11 AM