Hamlet Characters

Hamlet – The prince of Denmark. In the beginning his father recently passed away and Hamlet was grieving over his death. His uncle took the new position as king and married Hamlet’s mother. After hearing that his uncle murdered his father, Hamlet started seeking revenge.

Claudius – Hamlet’s uncle and king of Denmark after Hamlet’s father died. He murdered Hamlet’s father and married his wife so that he could become king. He is the antagonist of the play.

Gertrude – The queen of Denmark and Hamlet’s mother who is now married to her deceased husband’s brother.

Polonius – The father of Laertes and Ophelia. He tries to keep Ophelia from Hamlet and doesn’t trust him.

Horatio – He is Hamlet’s close friend, who is very loyal to him. At the end of the play, after Hamlet’s death, he stays alive to tell people of Hamlet’s story.

Ophelia – The daughter of Polonius and sister of Laertes. She is beautiful and innocent and Hamlet claims to love her. She ends up losing her mind and committing suicide over what Hamlet told her.

Laertes – Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’ son. Like his father, he didn’t approve of Ophelia and Hamlet and before he left to go to France, he told Ophelia to not let Hamlet play her.

Fortinbras – At the end of the play, he becomes king of Denmark. His father was killed by Hamlet’s father and he wanted revenge.

The Ghost – Hamlet’s deceased father. He claims to have been murdered by Claudius and informs Hamlet of this and wants Hamlet to avenge him.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – 2 servants that were ordered by Gertrude to spy on Hamlet to find out why he was so depressed.
 
Osric – A foolish messenger who relays to Hamlet that he will duel with Laertes. He is difficult to understand.

Voltimand and Cornelius – Courtiers who Claudius sends to Norway to prevent Fortinbras from attacking Denmark.

Marcellus and Bernardo – The guardsmen who first see the ghost and have Horatio come with them to witness it. They inform Hamlet of what they saw and Marcellus is with Hamlet when he sees his father’s ghost.

Francisco – A soldier and guardsman at Elsinore.

Reynaldo – Polonius’ servant, who he sent to France to spy on Laertes.