Character
Descriptions
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Hamlet | |||
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The title
character of the play, Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. He goes through
many troubles and problems throughout the play, especially the discovery
that his father was murdered by his uncle. Hamlet often thinks too much,
and is not quick to make a decision. He does not like this quality in
himself, and would like to be impulsive like Fortinbras. Hamlet studied
at the University of Wittenburg before the play begins. Hamlet is cynical,
yet intelligent, and he it is often difficult to tell if he is truly
crazy or if he is just pretending to get revenge for his father's murder. |
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| Hamlet says: | ||||
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"To
be, or not to be? That is the question- |
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| Others say: | ||||
| "I
will be brief: your noble son is mad. Mad call I it, for, to define true madness, What is't but to be nothing else but mad?" --Polonius, Act II, Scene II, lines 93-95 |
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Claudius | |||
| The
antagonist of the play, Claudius is the King of Denmark. It is learned
that he recently murdered his brother to take his throne. He married Gertrude,
Hamlet's mom. Claudius is a cunning and smart person, although he is evil
in his intentions. Claudius is not entirely bad, and he does show signs
of remorse for killing his brother. |
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| Cladius says: | ||||
| "Oh,
my offence is rank. It smells to heaven. It hath the primal eldest curse opon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not. Through inclination be as sharp as will, My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent" --Claudius, Act III, Scene III, lines 37-41 |
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| Others say: | ||||
| "A
murderer and a villain, A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe Of your precedent lord, a vice of kings, A cutpurse of the empire and the rule, That from a shelf the precious diadem stole, And put it in his pocket" --Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV, lines 97-102 |
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Gertrude | ||
| Hamlet's
mom and Claudius's wife, the Queen of Denmark. Her faults cause Hamlet's
general distrust of women. Hamlet thinks she is sexually immoral, and
never forgives her for entering an incestuous relationship with her late
husband's brother. |
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| Gertrude says: | |||
| "O
Hamlet, speak no more! Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, And there I see such black and grained spots As will no leave their tinct." --Gertrude, Act III, Scene IV, lines 89-92 |
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| Others say: | |||
| "You
are the queen, your husban's brother's wife, And-would it were not so!- you are my mother" --Hamlet, Act III, Scene IV, lines 16-17 |
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Polonius | ||
| Laertes
and Ophelia's father, as well as the Lord Chamberlain of Denmark, Polonius
provides comic relief in the tradgedy with his long and redundant speeches.
Polonius is somewhat sneaky, although he is not a bad person. He is older
than the other characters in the play, and is seemingly wise, although
he uses cliches and repeats himself constantly while giving this wisdom. |
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| Polonius says: | |||
| "My
liege and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time. Therefore, since brevity is soul of wit And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief..." --Polonius, Act II, Scene II, lines 87-93 |
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Horatio | |
| Horatio is an honest Courtier of Denmark. He is Hamlet's closest friend in the play, the only person Hamlet truly trusts. It seems that Hamlet admires Horatio greatly. Horatio remains loyal and honest to Hamlet. Horatio is the one who tells Hamlet that he has seen the Ghost of King Hamlet.When Hamlet and the royal family dies, Horatio wants to poison himself with them, but doesn't because Hamlet wants him to remain alive to tell his story to the people of Denmark. |
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Ophelia | |
| Daughter of Polonius and sister of Laertes, Ophelia doesn't speak much in the play. She obeys her father, which is reflective of women's role in those times. Hamlet was once in love with her, but now that he isn't anymore Polonius believes that he is. She is very close to her father, and when he dies she goes insane. | ||
| Laertes | |
| In Paris studying for most of the play, Laertes is Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. He is quick to action, and is very angry when his father is killed. He is the opposite of Hamlet in that he is quick to act, while Hamlet thinks too much and can be indecisive. |
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Ghost of King Hamlet | |
| Hamlet's late father, King Hamlet, returns as a ghost to tell Hamlet how he was killed. He urges Hamlet to take revenge on his brother, but tells him not to harm his mother. Only Gertrude cannot see the ghost, but since Horatio and others see it, it is real and not just Hamlet's crazy imagination. Also, Hamlet wonders himself if the ghost is truly his father, or the devil trying to hurt him. | ||
| Fortinbras | |
| Prince of Norway, who at the beginning is trying to take over what he thinks is a weak Denmark. His father, Fortinbras, was killed by Hamlet's father. He walks in on Hamlet dead and orders him to be carried out like a soldier. Fortinbras is another opposite of Hamlet because he is impulsive and takes action for no reason. |
| Rosencrantz & Guildenstern | |
| Two of Hamlet's former schoolmates, Claudius and Gertrude ask them to find out what is wrong with Hamlet. Hamlet is not fooled by their motives, and knows that they are sent by the King and are not his friends. These two contrast with Horatio, who is a loyal and honest friend. |
| Osric | |
| Courtier of Claudius who tells Hamlet that he has been challenged to a fencing match with Laertes. |
| Voltimand & Corneluius | |
| Ambassadors sent by Claudius to Norway to pursuade Fortinbras not to attack. |
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Marcellus & Barnardo |
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| Watchmen at Elsinore who first see the Ghost of King Hamlet. They show Horatio, who then shows Prince Hamlet. |
| Francisco | |
| Another watchman at Elsinore. |
| Reynaldo | |
| Servent of Polonius who is told to spy on Laertes. |
| Gravedigger | |
| Digger of Ophelia's grave. Hamlet talks to him and he shows Hamlet Yorick's skull. |