HONORS PS1500 - Physics in the Plays of Tom Stoppard
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Act 3 - Questions for
Discussion
Summary
How is the extent of our free will portrayed as analogous to life on a
boat?
Five times throughout the play (on pp 39, 45, 93, 102, 114), Ros and
Guil recite a variation of the Lord's Prayer. What are they asking for? How would you
characterize their attitude toward the divine?
Locate a few of your favorite lines (anywhere in the play) and explain why you find them striking.
1. Act 3, pp. 97 - 101 (Two parts: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern)
Starts with Guil: Are you there?
Ends with Ros: I think I’m going to be sick.
2. Act 3, pp. 121 - 126 (Four parts: Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Player, and Ambassador)
Starts with Guil: We’ve travelled too far, and our momentum has taken over; ...
Ends with Ambassador: ..., that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.
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Last modified: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 07:47 PM