  In the mid-1960s A. Pfister discovered extraordinary, strongly multiplicative
forms which are now called Pfister forms. From that time on, these forms played
a dominant role in the theory of quadratic forms. One of the key properties of
a Pfister form q is that q extended to a suitable transcendental extension, has
the polynomial q as its similarity factor. Pfister's original proof used clever
matrix calculations. Here we show that the desired isometry is induced by the
multiplication of a suitable field element.
  We further consider the surprising possibility that Pfister's forms were
already known by Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and that they in fact
led to a terrible tragedy which is yet filled with a haunting beauty and
mystery that can still inspire us to this day.
