'Faith, Her Privates We

     Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are often portrayed as an idiotic duo.  Hamlet runs circles around them with his wit, immediately divines their intentions, and unceremoniously brushes them aside.
But why?  What purpose is there in showing Hamlet meet and immediately dispense with these two spies?  Certainly not entertainment.  The audience sees two incompetent spies and largely ignores them for the duration of the play.  There is no tension there, no conflict.

     Much more interesting then is to play up their friendship.  They too banter in their scene with Hamlet, though they are at much of a disadvantage.  They were sent for, but that in itself is not an admission of guilt.  The scene should end unsure, with an uneasiness between the trio as of a friendship slowly dissolving.  This gives their ultimate betrayal much more force, and highlights the disintegration of Hamlet's relationships as he drives everyone from him (with the exception of Horatio, the only one allowed a peak into his inner mind).  Ros and Guil are also given much more room to grow, caught as they are between a real concern for their childhood friend (who pushes them away with his madness) and loyalty to the crown (who promises reward for patriotic duty).