Characters

Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, son of the dead king Hamlet, seeks revenge for his father’s death. He can be both an intellectual, "sweet" person and a raving, uncaring person whose only concern is the death of his uncle. Dies from poisoned sword of Laertes.

Claudius: King of Denmark, secretly killed Hamlet’s father and married his mother. He is afraid that Hamlet is plotting to kill him and tries to kill Hamlet. Dies from poisoned sword thrusted by Hamlet.

Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, late wife of King Hamlet, wife of Claudius, Hamlet’s mother. She doesn’t understand her son’s lunacy. Dies from poisoned wine.

Polonius: Lord Chamberlain to Claudius, father of Laertes and Ophelia, he is a humorous person who enjoys talking. Dies from stab of Hamlet in mother’s room.

Laertes: son of Polonius, agrees to kill Hamlet in a duel out of rage for the death of his father. He later tells the people the King’s plot. Dies from poisoned sword stab of Hamlet. Foil to Hamlet.

Ophelia: daughter of Claudius, agreed not to court Hamlet because of her father’s wishes. Turned insane after the death of her father. Dies from drowning (suicide).

Horatio: friend of Hamlet from the University. Horatio does not appear much in the play, but is sensible and loyal to Hamlet. He first told Hamlet about the ghost and said his last loving words to his dead friend.

Rosencrantz: friend of Hamlet who betrayed him by taking him to England to be killed. Dies in England from Hamlet’s forged note.

Guildenstern: friend of Hamlet who betrayed him by taking him to England to be killed. Dies in England from Hamlet’s forged note.

Marcellus: officer guarding the castle of Elsinore, saw the ghost. He swore not to tell anyone about what happened with the ghost and Hamlet.

Bernardo: officer guarding the castle of Elsinore, saw the ghost.

Fortinbras: Prince of Norway, also lost his father.

Osric: King’s messenger, umpire at the duel between Hamlet and Laertes.

Francisco: officer guarding the castle of Elsinore, relieved by Bernardo in the beginning from guard duties.

Voltimand: courtier, sent to Norway as an ambassador.

Cornelius: courtier, sent to Norway as an ambassador.

Reynaldo: Polonius sends him to Paris to watch Laertes’ behavior.

Gravediggers: two humorous people who dig Ophelia’s grave, talk to Hamlet.