Question

Read the excerpts from Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard.

Excerpt 1

[GERTRUDE] Good gentlemen, he hath much talk’d of you,
And sure I am two men there are not living
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
To show us so much gentry and good will
As to expend your time with us awhile,
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
As fits a king’s remembrance.

Excerpt 2

GUIL Exactly, it’s a matter of asking the right questions and giving away as little as we can. It’s a game.

ROS And then we can go?

GUIL And receive such thanks as fits a king’s remembrance.

ROS I like the sound of that. What do you think he means by remembrance?

GUIL He doesn’t forget his friends.

ROS Would you care to estimate?

GUIL Difficult to say, really—some kings tend to be amnesiac, others I suppose—the opposite, whatever that is. . . .

ROS Yes—but—

GUIL Elephantine . . . ?

ROS Not how long—how much?

GUIL Retentive—he’s a very retentive king, a royal retainer . . .

Which statement best explains how Hamlet influences Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead?

Gertrude’s speech in Hamlet is used to highlight Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s loyalty to Hamlet.
Gertrude’s speech in Hamlet is used to highlight Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s willingness to be bribed.
Gertrude’s speech in Hamlet is used to highlight how much the queen needs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s help.
Gertrude’s speech in Hamlet is used to highlight how thankful the king and queen will be to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Answer 1

Gertrude’s speech in Hamlet is used to highlight how thankful the king and queen will be to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, which is echoed in their conversation in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. The phrase "Your visitation shall receive such thanks as fits a king’s remembrance" is repeated by Guildenstern, showing that he remembers the line and is hopeful for the same level of gratitude from the king.

Step-by-step explanation: