Final answer:
Hamlet's treatment of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern showcases his evolved suspicion and cunning, culminating in a plan to reverse his fate and seal theirs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The harsh treatment of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by Hamlet indicates a transformation in his attitude, showing how Hamlet has become more cautious, skeptical, and even ruthless as he grapples with the betrayals around him. Initially, Hamlet is trusting and confides in his old friends, but as the play progresses, he recognizes their allegiance to King Claudius and treats them harshly, seeing them as pawns of the king used to spy on him.
Hamlet's clever plan includes replacing the letter they carry to England, which originally orders Hamlet’s execution, with a new one that instead orders the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. This act of counter-espionage exemplifies not only a change in Hamlet's attitude but also his shift to a more proactive and strategic stance in dealing with the threats against him.