Final answer:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are executed in England after Hamlet alters the letter they carry, which originally called for his own death, to order their execution instead. Their deaths are fitting as they pay the price for betraying Hamlet, echoing the play's themes of treachery and retribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet their demise in William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, through a plan they unknowingly carry to England. The plan was originally written by Hamlet's uncle and stepfather, King Claudius, and intended for Hamlet's execution.
However, Hamlet discovers this plot and alters the letter to command the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern instead. They are executed in England without ever knowing the contents of the letter they brought, making their deaths unwitting and ironic.
Their deaths are considered fitting within the context of the play due to their betrayal of Hamlet, having been school friends but ultimately turning into spies for King Claudius. This form of retributive justice underscores the theme of treachery and the moral that betrayal can lead to one's downfall.
Additionally, it is an example of how Hamlet uses his cunning to reverse the plots against him, furthering the tragic elements of the play.