Guildenstern

Guildenstern is a fictional character, primarily known as one of two minor figures in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. He and his companion, Rosencrantz, were schoolmates of Hamlet and were summoned to spy on him, though they were unaware of the true reason for their summons.12

While minor in Shakespeare's work, Guildenstern, along with Rosencrantz, are the central characters in Tom Stoppard's play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead*. Stoppard's play explores themes of free will, death, and identity through their philosophical discussions and games, often highlighting how they are mistaken for one another.1