Abbygail Meredith
Durban North College
Updated: 10 May 2007

Hamlet

• Prince of Denmark;


• a scholar but no man of action.

Claudius

• King of Denmark;


• married brother's widow (Hamlet's mom).

Gertrude

• Queen of Denmark;


• mother to Hamlet;


• married late husband's brother.

Ophelia

• loved but dropped by Hamlet.

Ghost of Hamlet's father

• reveals facts of murder;


• asks for revenge.

Horatio

• friend to Hamlet;


• gives good advice to Hamlet.

Fortinbras

• Prince of Norway;


• capable soldier;


• father slain by Hamlet's father.

Laertes

• son to Polonius;


• man of action.

Polonius

• father to Ophelia and Laertes;


• principal Secretary of State;


• believed Hamlet was mad.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern

• were friends of Hamlet;


• turn spy on Hamlet for Claudius;


• therefore despised by Hamlet;


• die in England.

Osric
(a courtier)


Grave Digger
(gives comic relief)

Marcellus & Bernardo
(officers of the watch)

Reynaldo
(man servant to Polonius)


Cornelius & Voltimand
(Danish Ambassadors to Norway)

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