# Guildenstern — Hamlet character guide

> Guildenstern in Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** gentle Guildenstern, Rosencrantz Guildenstern

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

One half of the pair of schoolfriends turned royal spies, whose smooth courtesies cannot hide from Hamlet that they have sold their old intimacy for a king's favor.

## Who they are

Guildenstern accompanies Rosencrantz to Elsinore on Claudius's commission, reporting back that Hamlet 'keeps aloof' with a 'crafty madness' and will not be sounded. He is the cooler, more formal of the two, and Hamlet's contempt for the pair sharpens as their errand grows more dangerous. Their willingness to serve whoever holds power turns them into a mirror of the play's central question: what does loyalty mean when it can be bought?

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Accompanies Rosencrantz, obeys the king and queen's command, and participates in the conversation with Hamlet.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Echoes Rosencrantz's report; notes Hamlet's crafty madness and reluctance to be sounded.

### [Scene II: The Mousetrap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Tries to question Hamlet on behalf of the king and queen, but is rebuffed with the recorder analogy.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Echoes Rosencrantz's loyalty and prepares for the voyage.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Summoned alongside Rosencrantz to assist in the search for Hamlet.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Accompanies Rosencrantz and is similarly dismissed by Hamlet.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Escorts Hamlet before the King and is ordered to accompany him to England.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Present with Hamlet and Rosencrantz during the encounter with the captain.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi)

Mentioned as continuing on to England.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters/guildenstern
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters