META-THEATRICAL REFLECTIONS: TOM STOPPARD’S ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD AS A POST-MODERNISTIC REPLAY OF SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET

Abstract

The present study has been made to interpret the concept of meta-theatre as adopted by Stoppard in writing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead as an attempt to reimagine the play Hamlet through the perspective of the minor characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Through the Post-modernistic lens, the meta-theatrical elements in the play have been analysed with the help of qualitative research methodology. An in-depth analysis and discussion has been made to explore the layers of play within a play and the study has further high-lightened the significance and scope of such studies as a novel method of reincarnation of the classic works through the post-modernistic techniques.