| Hamlet Sr. | -Hamlets Father-Prior king of Denmark before Claudius-Killed by Claudius |
| Fortinbras Sr. | -Defeated by Hamlet Sr. in battle-Prior ruler of Norway |
| Hamlet | -In line for crown of Denmark-Son of Gertrude and Hamlet Sr.-Tragic hero |
| Fortinbras | -Prince of Norway-Plans to take control of Denmark and regain Norwegian independence |
| Gertrude | -Queen of Denmark-Married Claudius 2 months after death of Hamlet Sr. -Hamlet’s mother |
| Claudius | -Hamlet Sr.’s brother-Marries Gertrude to get the crown-Villian |
| Horatio | -Hamlet’s college buddy-Well-educated-Trusted by Hamlet-Convinces Hamlet to see the ghost-Skeptic so he’s summoned by Marcellus and Bernardo to see the ghost and confirm its existence |
| Rosencrantz and Guildenstern | -Hamlet’s college buddies-Not trusted by Hamlet-Easily manipulated-Claudius’s spies-Escort Hamlet to England |
| Polonius | -King’s advisor-Father of Laertes and Ophelia-Puppet character-speaks in clichés |
| Ophelia | -Hamlet’s love interest-Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes-Forced to give up love for Hamlet because of father-can be directed as wordly or innocent and it changes context of her actions dramatically |
| Laertes | -Son of Polonius, brother of Ophelia-Doesn’t approve of relationship of Ophelia and Hamlet-Goes away to college in France and returns to find the kingdom in shambles and turmoil |
| Osric | -Coutier that finds Hamlet and summons him for the duel-Not the sharpest tool in the shed |
| Reynaldo | -Man that Polonius sends to France to spy on Laertes while he’s in college |
| Marcellus and Bernardo | -Guards watching the castle when they see the ghost-Summon Horatio to talk to the ghost |
| The Ghost | -Ghost of Hamlet Sr.-Tells Hamlet to get revenge for his death, says Claudius did it-May or may not be a figment of Hamlet’s imagination |
| Voltimand and Cornelius | -soldiers sent to tell king of Norway to prevent Fortinbras from attacking |
| Yorick | -Court jester when Hamlet was a boy-Hamlet knew him-Raised Hamlet (in a way)-Skull is discussed by the gravedigger with Hamlet |
| Gravedigger | -Witty and a match for Hamlet’s intelligence-Very knowledgeable |
Hamlet Characters
July 5, 2019