"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" is a play by Tom Stoppard that explores the lives of two minor characters from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The story follows Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as they navigate their confusion and existential dilemmas while trying to understand their purpose in the larger narrative of the play. The work blends elements of absurdist theater and comedy, highlighting themes of fate, free will, and the nature of reality. As the characters interact with Hamlet and other figures, they grapple with their lack of control over their destinies, ultimately leading to a poignant reflection on life and death.