The Characters

The Characters

Hamlet- 

The Prince of Denmark and the protagonist of the play. He is the nephew of Claudius and son of Queen Gertrude and the late King of Denmark. He is cynical and rash at certain times and thoughtful and hesitant at others. He loathes his uncle's scheming plans and hates his mother's indecisive mind. He is a character that is most appealing to those intrigued by a  complicated mind.


Claudius-

The King of Denmark and the antagonist of the play. He has a lust for power and has a head for scheming. However, there are some scenes during the play that allow us to see some feeling of sincerity, his love for his late brother's wife, Gertrude, for instance.


Gertrude-

The Queen of Denmark, the late wife of Hamlet's father and current wife of the present King of Denmark, Claudius. She is a feeble and shallow woman who cares more for status and love than honesty or morals.


Polonius-

The Lord of Chamberlain in the King's court, he is bombastic and conniving man. He is the father of Ophelia and Laertes.


Horatio-

A loyal and close friend to Hamlet throughout the play. He studied at the University of Wittenburg with Hamlet.


Ophelia-

The love interest of Hamlet and the beautiful daughter of Polonius. As she is innocent and relies on men to tell her how to behave, she agrees to spy on Hamlet, as orders from  her father from the King and Queen. As she goes insane, she remains singing and eventually drowns in the river, laying in the flower she had arranged. 


Laertes-

The brother of Ophelia and son of Polonius, he loves his sister. He spends most of the time in France and is a foil for Hamlet.


Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- 

The two not so loyal friends of Hamlet from Wittenburg University. They agree to go to Denmark to find out why Hamlet is acting so strange.


Fortinbras-

The young Prince of Denmark. His father was killed by Hamlet's late father and seeks to attack Denmark. He is another foil for Hamlet. 


The Ghost-


The ghost of Hamlet's late father who tells Hamlet of his murder by Claudius. He encourages Hamlet to avenge him.