Tom Stoppard
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
A little like that, yes.
And the other thing about them was that in the story which they've been dropped into, they had this sort of very strange predicament.
When you look at Shakespeare's text, they're not really told what's happening in that play.
And furthermore, when they end up dead, they don't know why.
They don't know what they've done.
In fact, they haven't done anything.
So they're well-meaning, and they're often presented as villains, spies, on the side of the bad King Claudius.
But in point of fact, there's no reason to look at them like that now.
I found them rather endearing.
The idea is that it's two people who have to avoid answering questions.
They have to answer a question with a question.
And the first time somebody forgets or breaks one of the rules, then he loses a point.
What's the matter with you today?
Are you deaf?
Am I dead?
Yes or no?
Is there a choice?