Research Paper on:
Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Futility

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
two characters who indicate "that they have no direction in life. They move forward on their journey in whichever direction they happen to be facing" (Anonymous Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are  Dead history.htm). In many ways the play "emphasizes the difficulties both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have in living in an existential world that seemingly provides them with no direction and no  purpose" (Latimer Stoppard.html). As we can readily note, Shakespeare never presented quite the description of these two friends as has Stoppard. Many, including the author himself, argue that there  are no primary or urgent themes within the story as it is merely intended to entertain, especially if we see them as men simply moving through life with no plans.  But, upon examination we can find themes present in any piece of literature, this one being no exception. Bearing that in mind, we present an examination of the themes of  futility and the futility of challenging ones destiny as seen in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." Futility In this play we see two comical bunglers who are constantly  looking for some adventure, some answer, some direction. They are constantly lost in their quest to find any such reality, and therefor are constantly fighting a futile battle. As one  author states, the two main characters are the epitome of confusion and futility as we witness "their verbal patter, their insecurity about their identity and memories, their constant questioning (which  usually is not something in search of an answer but simply a means of expressing their anxiety or passing the time), and their anxious confusion about what they are doing"  (Anonymous Lecture on Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead stoppard.htm). They wish to know why they are alive, and why they are in the positions they are in at