# Rosencrantz — Hamlet character guide

> Rosencrantz in Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** gentle Rosencrantz, Rosencrantz Ay, Rosencrantz Ho, Reenter Rosencrantz, Exeunt Rosencrantz, Enter Rosencrantz

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

## Snapshot

A childhood friend of Hamlet summoned by the king to pry into his madness, discovering too late that royal errands have a way of squeezing their messengers dry.

## Who they are

Rosencrantz arrives at Elsinore with Guildenstern at Claudius's invitation, ostensibly to comfort Hamlet but actually to report on his state of mind. Hamlet sees through the ruse almost at once, calling him a sponge that soaks up the king's countenance and will be wrung out when no longer useful. His cheerful compliance with power makes him a quiet study in how ordinary men become instruments of a court's darker business.

## Relationships

### [Hamlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters/hamlet)

_friendship_

Rosencrantz is a former school friend of Hamlet, but their friendship is betrayed when Rosencrantz agrees to spy on Hamlet for Claudius.

### [Hamlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters/hamlet)

_friendship_

Rosencrantz is a former school friend of Hamlet, but their friendship is betrayed when Rosencrantz agrees to spy on Hamlet for Claudius.

### [Hamlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters/hamlet)

_friendship_

Rosencrantz is a former school friend of Hamlet, but their friendship is betrayed when Rosencrantz agrees to spy on Hamlet for Claudius.

## In the story

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

Arrives with Guildenstern at the king's summons, agrees to spy on Hamlet, and later informs Hamlet of the players' arrival.

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

Reports to the King and Queen that Hamlet is distracted but will not reveal the cause; mentions the players' arrival.

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

Summoned by the queen to speak with Hamlet, he attempts to probe Hamlet's distemper.

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

Agrees to escort Hamlet to England, expressing loyalty to the king.

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

Summoned by Claudius to help find Hamlet and bring Polonius's body.

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

Demands to know where Polonius's body is, but is mocked by Hamlet.

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

Reports to the King about Hamlet's refusal to reveal Polonius's body.

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

Accompanies Hamlet and asks if he is ready to proceed.

### [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/rosencrantz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hamlet_se/characters