Character guide

Hamlet

major

Also known as Prince Hamlet, Lord Hamlet, young Hamlet, the Dane, Hamlet the Dane, noble Hamlet, Cousin Hamlet

Prince of Denmark, grieving his father's death and seeking truth about the ghost.

King Claudius

major

Also known as King, the King, King Hamlet, King Laertes, King Sweet Gertrude, King Gertrude, King Pretty Ophelia, King A Norman, King Part, King Ay, King Thanks

Hamlet's uncle, now king and married to Hamlet's mother.

Queen Gertrude

major

Also known as Queen, Queen Hamlet, Queen O, Queen O Hamlet, Queen Good Hamlet, Queen Alack, Queen Drown'd, sweet Hamlet

Hamlet's mother, married to Claudius after her husband's death.

Ophelia

major

Also known as sweet Ophelia, Ophelia Belike, Ophelia Ay, pretty Ophelia

Polonius's daughter and Hamlet's love interest, caught in political intrigue.

Polonius

major

Also known as Polonius Marry, Polonius Ophelia, good Polonius, Polonius God, Polonius Ay, Polonius Behind, Polonius Madam, Polonius Honest, Exit Polonius

Lord chamberlain and father of Ophelia and Laertes, often meddling.

Laertes

supporting

Also known as young Laertes, good Laertes, Laertes Farewell, Laertes A Norman, Laertes Ay, King Good Laertes

Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, returns from France seeking revenge.

Horatio

supporting

Also known as Horatio So, Horatio O, Horatio Within, Horatio Marcellus, Horatio This lapwing, Horatio Peace, Horatio E'en, Horatio Look, Horatio Ay, Exit Horatio, good Horatio

Hamlet's loyal friend and confidant from Wittenberg.

Ghost

supporting

Also known as Ghost of Hamlet's father, Exeunt Ghost, Exit Ghost

Apparition of the late king, revealing murder and demanding vengeance.

Rosencrantz

supporting

Also known as gentle Rosencrantz, Rosencrantz Ay, Rosencrantz Ho, Reenter Rosencrantz, Exeunt Rosencrantz, Enter Rosencrantz

Childhood friend of Hamlet, summoned to spy on him.

Guildenstern

supporting

Also known as gentle Guildenstern, Rosencrantz Guildenstern

Childhood friend of Hamlet, summoned with Rosencrantz to spy.

Fortinbras

supporting

Also known as young Fortinbras, Prince Fortinbras, Fortinbras of

Norwegian prince leading an army, later becomes king of Denmark.

Osric

minor

Also known as Osric Of Laertes, Osric Rapier, young Osric, Osric Sir

Courtier who delivers the fencing challenge to Hamlet.

Marcellus

minor

Also known as Marcellus It, Marcellus Bernardo, Marcellus Good, Marcellus Horatio

Officer on guard who first sees the ghost.

Bernardo

minor

Also known as Marcellus Bernardo, Francisco Bernardo

Guard on duty who witnesses the ghost.

Francisco

minor

Also known as Francisco Bernardo

Soldier on watch at Elsinore.

Reynaldo

minor

Also known as Reynaldo Ay

Servant sent by Polonius to spy on Laertes in Paris.

Voltimand

minor

Also known as Cornelius Voltimand, Cornelius, good Cornelius

Courtier sent to Norway on diplomatic mission.

Cornelius

minor

Also known as good Cornelius, Cornelius Voltimand

Courtier sent with Voltimand to Norway.

First Clown

minor

Also known as Clown, First Clown Faith, First Clown Ay, First Clown Sings, Clown Ay, Clown Sings

Gravedigger who provides comic relief and digs Ophelia's grave.

Second Clown

minor

Also known as Second Clown Why, Second Clown

Assistant gravedigger who argues with the First Clown.

First Priest

minor

Also known as First Priest

Priest officiating Ophelia's burial, questioning its rites.

Player King

minor

Also known as Player, Anon

Actor in the play-within-a-play, performing The Murder of Gonzago.

Player Queen

minor

Actress in the play-within-a-play, playing the queen.

Lucianus

minor

Player who murders the king in the play-within-a-play.

Yorick

minor

Former court jester, whose skull Hamlet discovers in the graveyard.

Captain

minor

Also known as Captain God

Norwegian army captain who speaks with Hamlet about Fortinbras's campaign.

Messenger

minor

Also known as Messenger Sailors

Sailor bringing letters from Hamlet to Horatio.