Question

What is the “triumph” referred to in the following sequence of actions/lines?

Enter HAMLET behind, crossing the stage, reading a book – as he is about to disappear GUIL notices him.



GUIL [sharply]: Rosencrantz!

ROS [jumps]: What!



HAMLET goes. Triumph dawns on them, they smile.



GUIL: There! How was that!

ROS: Clever!

GUIL: Natural?

ROS: Instinctive.

Answer 1

Triumph in this context means the sense of accomplishment that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are feeling. Whether their goal was to not be noticed by Hamlet or for him to leave without addressing them, they achieved it and when Hamlet leaves and they have that realization that they succeeded, they feel triumphant.