I could have said no

 

This is a paraphrase of a quote from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard. The full quote is "There must have been a moment, at the beginning, where we could have said — no. But somehow we missed it." To me it was the genius of the entire play. According to ChatGPT, 

"This line reflects the existential theme of the play, highlighting the lack of control the characters feel over their lives and destinies. They grapple with the idea that they are merely following a script, unable to escape their roles in the larger narrative of Hamlet. This is emblematic of the play's exploration of free will versus determinism."

I read the play in an English class when I was a sophomore in college.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are characters in Shakespeare's Hamle. Again ChatGPT describes them this way:

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are fictional characters from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. They are two courtiers and childhood friends of Prince Hamlet, summoned by King Claudius and Queen Gertrude to spy on Hamlet and uncover the cause of his apparent madness. Although initially loyal to Hamlet, they become pawns in Claudius's schemes and meet an untimely death when Hamlet outmaneuvers them."

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent off with Hamlet with a note from Claudius to a neighboring kingdom. The note says Hamlet should be executed. Hamlet figures it out and switches the note with one saying Rosencrantz and Guildenstern should be executed. And they are.

"In Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966), the characters are reimagined as protagonists. Stoppard's play portrays them as bewildered individuals struggling to make sense of their existence and their role in the larger story. It explores themes of free will, fate, and the absurd, often blending dark humor with existential philosophy. The pair are depicted as interchangeable and confused, symbolizing humanity's struggle with purpose and meaning."

I loved the play because it portrayed Hamlet as really being crazy and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern get screwed by fate. It's when they are in prison awaiting their execution that the quote about a time when they could have said no comes from. I love that quote because to me it sums up life. When we are bemoaning where we end up, it is important to remind ourselves that there was always a time when we could have or should have said no.

You know?