Tom Stoppard's play entitled Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is one that presents a unique perspective to storytelling. The play follows Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two side-characters from the revered Hamlet by William Shakespeare, who appear in the initial play briefly. If someone had read or seen a production of Hamlet, they would know that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two men assigned to kill Hamlet, who end up being outwitted by the prince and being executed themselves. Stoppard's play takes place at the same time as Shakespeare's play, but solely focuses on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's succession of events. Even more unique, then, is how the way the story of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern plays out is as if they truly are only a subplot to another larger story, even when it is just the two of them. However, there is one character who seems to be able to drift from the subservient world of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Hamlet's reality -- "Player". Player's role in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is to be the omniscient figure who is able to understand the servile nature of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's world, all while still "acting" his part in Hamlet's reality without questions. .
In Act II, Player subtly reveals that he is aware of his standing in Hamlet and Rosencrantz/Guildenstern's crossover world and that he also knows the fate of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When Guildenstern questions why Player is walking away, he replies, "I come and go as I please" (Stoppard, p.57), solidifying the implication that he can effortlessly transition from the world of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the world of Hamlet. When Guildenstern makes a remark about finding his feet, Player quips "I should concentrate not losing your heads" (Stoppard, p.57), which shows that he knows about the impending decapitations of the two titular characters. To confirm his omniscience, he simply says, "I know which way the wind is blowing" (Stoppard, p.
