Characters
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark The crown prince of
Denmark who returns from the university in Wittenberg, Germany, to find his
father dead, his mother married to the king's brother Claudius, and Claudius
newly self-crowned King.
Claudius, King of Denmark Dead King Hamlet's
brother who has usurped the throne and married his sister-in-law.
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark Prince Hamlet's
mother, King Hamlet's widow, King Claudius' wife.
The Ghost Spirit of the late King Hamlet,
condemned to walk the earth until his soul is cleansed of its sins.
Polonius The elderly Lord Chamberlain, chief
counselor to Claudius.
Horatio A commoner, Horatio went to school
with Hamlet and remains his loyal best friend.
Laertes A student in Paris, Laertes is
Polonius' son and Ophelia's brother; he returns from school because of King
Hamlet's death, leaves to go back to Paris, and then returns again after his own
father's murder.
Ophelia Daughter of Polonius, sister of
Laertes, Ophelia is beloved of Hamlet.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Classmates of
Hamlet's in Wittenberg. Claudius summons them to Elsinore to spy on Prince
Hamlet.
Fortinbras King of Norway, bound to avenge his
father's death by the Danes' hands.
Marcellus and Barnardo Danish officers on guard at
the castle of Elsinore.
Francisco Danish soldier on guard at the castle of
Elsinore.
Reynaldo Young man whom Polonius instructs and
sends to Paris to observe and report on Laertes' conduct.
Two Clowns (the Gravediggers) Two rustics
(identified as clowns) who dig Ophelia's grave.
Denmark who returns from the university in Wittenberg, Germany, to find his
father dead, his mother married to the king's brother Claudius, and Claudius
newly self-crowned King.
Claudius, King of Denmark Dead King Hamlet's
brother who has usurped the throne and married his sister-in-law.
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark Prince Hamlet's
mother, King Hamlet's widow, King Claudius' wife.
The Ghost Spirit of the late King Hamlet,
condemned to walk the earth until his soul is cleansed of its sins.
Polonius The elderly Lord Chamberlain, chief
counselor to Claudius.
Horatio A commoner, Horatio went to school
with Hamlet and remains his loyal best friend.
Laertes A student in Paris, Laertes is
Polonius' son and Ophelia's brother; he returns from school because of King
Hamlet's death, leaves to go back to Paris, and then returns again after his own
father's murder.
Ophelia Daughter of Polonius, sister of
Laertes, Ophelia is beloved of Hamlet.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Classmates of
Hamlet's in Wittenberg. Claudius summons them to Elsinore to spy on Prince
Hamlet.
Fortinbras King of Norway, bound to avenge his
father's death by the Danes' hands.
Marcellus and Barnardo Danish officers on guard at
the castle of Elsinore.
Francisco Danish soldier on guard at the castle of
Elsinore.
Reynaldo Young man whom Polonius instructs and
sends to Paris to observe and report on Laertes' conduct.
Two Clowns (the Gravediggers) Two rustics
(identified as clowns) who dig Ophelia's grave.