Get yourself acquainted with Characters in the play Hamlet. In this Hamlet Characters list, you will find all the important characters with a short character sketch for each.
For in-depth analysis for each individual Characters in the play, see the link giving along with the character.
Before starting with the play, it is essential to get to know who is who. Below is the Hamlet Characters list which aims at giving you a short insight of each character in the play, Hamlet.
Hamlet, the title role is the prince of Denmark and the protagonist of the tragic play “Hamlet”. He is the son of Late King Hamlet and Gertrude and nephew to Claudius, the present King. He returned from the university at Wittenberg, Germany and got to know about the incidents that occurred. His father was dead, mother married to his uncle Claudius, and Claudius became the self-proclaimed King. These incidents shooked him.
In the play, we see different shades of personality in Prince Hamlet. We find him philosophical, intellectual and poetic. We find him indecisive and hesitant and also we find him rash and impulsive. Every person will have his own conclusion about the character of Prince Hamlet. We cannot draw a single impression from his personality.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Prince Hamlet.
Claudius is the primary antagonist of the play “Hamlet”. He is the uncle and later stepfather to prince Hamlet, brother of Late King Hamlet and second husband of Gertrude. He killed his brother “King Hamlet” with poison and obtained the throne of Denmark and married his sister-in-law, wife of Late king Hamlet.
Claudius, unlike other popular villains of revenge or morality plays, lacks absolute evil. He appears socially acceptable, charming and can display human sentiments. His love for Gertrude seems to be sincere and not out of lust. He is a perfect example of a Shakespearean antagonist.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Claudius.
Gertrude is the queen of Denmark, mother of Prince Hamlet, and second wife of Claudius. Her personality is shadowy with little substance to it. Her relationship with Prince Hamlet is strained due to her act of marrying Claudius.
She has no guilt of marrying Claudius after the recent murder of her husband (King Hamlet). She even tries to cheer up Prince Hamlet. According to Prince Hamlet, “she scarcely mourned her husband’s death”. Though she never confessed any sin, yet her character is doubtful.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Gertrude.
Polonius is the Lord Chamberlain, chief counsellor to the king and father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is a sincere father and his small family unit with Ophelia and Laertes is in stark contrast with the family of Prince Hamlet, Gertrude & Claudius.
He is the main source of comic relief in the play. As a comic character, he always appeared as less wise than he thinks. He was unintentionally murdered by Hamlet and her daughter Ophelia felt so struck with grief that she goes mad.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Polonius.
Not much is known about Horatio. He was present on the battlefield where King Hamlet defeated Fortinbras. Attended the same university with Prince Hamlet. He is simply identified as a faithful friend of Prince Hamlet.
A character like Prince Hamlet will always want a friend like Horatio. He is intelligent but unlike Prince Hamlet, he is not driven by impulse. He is supportive and faithful. Prince Hamlet bond and admiration for Horatio is evident in his request that Horatio tells Hamlet’s story. After the death of Prince Hamlet, Horatio remains alive to tell the story of Hamlet.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Horatio.
Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius. A beautiful innocent woman loved by Hamlet. She has hardly any will of her own. She has been brought up in complete submission to her father and is always ready to obey him without questions.
Ophelia cannot compete with Shakespeare’s great female characters as she lacks the qualities like common sense, wit, and nobility. But it was intentional, as a strong female character would have been a distraction since the play revolves around the Hamlet struggle within himself.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Ophelia.
Laertes is the son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. He is a complete contrast to Hamlet. Hamlet, Horatio and Laertes seem to form a triangle of forces, with each exerting strong pressures on the others.
He is a man of action. In contrast to Hamlet, he has no doubt and needs no evidence to support his courses of action. He too has suffered at the murder of his father and at the madness and death of his sister. But he reacted in a manner that any impetuous man would have, to avenge his losses.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Laertes.
Fortinbras is the prince of Norway who wishes to attack Denmark in order the avenge his father’s honour. His father Senior Fortinbras was killed by Hamlet’s father.
Fortinbras character presents a vivid contrast to Hamlet. He is a man of action, whereas Hamlet is a scholar and philosopher.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Fortinbras.
Shakespearequotesandplays.com
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were two of the school fellows of Hamlet and were brought up together with the prince. But they do not have that sentiment of friendship for Hamlet which Horatio cherishes.
Claudius engages these two men, to keep a close watch on Hamlet and to find out the nature of the malady that afflicts him.
Study: In-depth Character analysis of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
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