Shakespeare's notes[]
Characters from Hamlet.
Hamlet, crown prince of Denmark.
Claudius, usurper of Denmark and uncle of Hamlet.
Gertrude, queen of Denmark and mother of Hamlet.
King Hamlet, deceased king of Denmark and father of Hamlet.
Polonius, Lord Chamberlain.
Ophelia, daughter of Polonius.
Laertes, son of Polonius.
Reynaldo, servant of Polonius.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, childhood friends of Hamlet and courtiers of Claudius.
Voltemand, a courtier.
Cornelius, a courtier.
Osric, a courtier.
Fortinbras, crown prince of Norway.
Horatio, friend of Hamlet.
Marcellus, an officer.
Bernardo, an officer.
Francisco, a soldier.
A Gentleman
A Priest
A Captain
Other:
Two Clowns, Gravediggers, English Ambassadors, and Players.
List of characters[]
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Hamlet | The tragic protagonist and Prince of Denmark. He is tormented by his father's ghost and seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius for the murder of his father. |
| Claudius | Hamlet's uncle and the current King of Denmark. He is a cunning and manipulative character who plots to maintain his power and hide his guilt. |
| Gertrude | Hamlet's mother and Queen of Denmark. She marries Claudius shortly after the death of her husband, King Hamlet, which complicates Hamlet's feelings and motives. |
| Ophelia | Polonius's daughter and Hamlet's love interest. She is driven to madness and eventually drowns in a tragic incident, potentially due to Hamlet's actions. |
| Polonius | The Lord Chamberlain and Ophelia's father. He is a foolish and meddling character who becomes an unwitting victim of Hamlet's impulsive actions. |
| Horatio | Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant. He provides support to Hamlet throughout the play, serves as a moral compass, and witnesses the events unfold. |
| Laertes | Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. He seeks revenge for his father's death and becomes a foil to Hamlet, highlighting different approaches to honor and loyalty. |
| Ghost of King Hamlet | The spirit of Hamlet's deceased father. It appears to Hamlet, revealing the truth about his murder and urging him to seek revenge. |
| Fortinbras | The Prince of Norway. He serves as a contrast to Hamlet, displaying decisive action and ambition. He also provides a potential alternative outcome to Hamlet's story. |
| Rosencrantz and Guildenstern | Hamlet's childhood friends and classmates. They are recruited by Claudius to spy on Hamlet, ultimately becoming unwitting pawns in the unfolding tragedy. |
| Polonius's Servant | A minor character who plays a role in the plot against Hamlet and unwittingly becomes involved in his schemes. |
| Osric | A courtier who delivers a challenge to Hamlet on behalf of Claudius. He serves as a messenger and witness during the final duel. |
| Players | A group of traveling actors who perform a play within the play, "The Murder of Gonzago," at Hamlet's request. Their performance serves as a device to expose Claudius's guilt. |
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