Compare and contrast the ways in which ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’ by Tom Stoppard and ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Beckett teach important insights about the human condition. Inspired by Beckett’s literary style, particularly in ‘Waiting for Godot’, Stoppard wrote ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’. As a result of this, many comparisons can be drawn between these two plays. Stoppard’s writing was also influenced by Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as …showed first 75 words of 1371 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1371 total…Guildenstern “Fate then” Player “Oh yes. We have no control.” The Player readily accepts destiny and the unknown future, unlike Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who like to feel that they do have control in their lives. In ‘Waiting for Godot’ the subject of chance and probability is also considered: Estragon “I don’t know, there’s an even chance, or nearly.” Vladimir “Well, what’ll we do?” Estragon “Well, don’t lets do anything, its safer.”