“Hamlet” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, centered around the character Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, whose internal conflict and quest for vengeance drive the narrative.
Character analysis of Hamlet, Ophelia, and other key figures in the play helps students delve into the complexity of these characters and explore the central themes of madness, revenge, and the existential questions that permeate the story.
Character List of Hamlet
👑 King Hamlet (Deceased) 👑
│
├── 👑 King Claudius (Brother of King Hamlet, New King) 👑
│ │
├── 👑 Queen Gertrude (Widow of King Hamlet, Married to Claudius) 👑
│ │
│ ├── 💀 Polonius (Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s Court) 💔
│ │ │
│ ├── 👤🤴🏻 Prince Hamlet (Son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude)
│ │ │
│ │ ├── 💀 Horatio (Hamlet’s Loyal Friend)
│ │ │
│ ├── 💀 Laertes (Polonius’s Son)
│ │ │
│ └── 🇳🇴 Fortinbras (Prince of Norway, Aspiring to Regain Lands)
│
├── 👑 King Fortinbras (Deceased) 👑
│
├── 👑 Queen Gertrude (Widow of King Fortinbras) 👑
│
│ ├── 💀 Lord Chamberlain (Polonius’s predecessor)
│ │ │
│ ├── 👤🤴🏻 Young Fortinbras (Son of King Fortinbras)
│ │ │
│ ├── 💀 Gertrude (Daughter of Polonius, Not to be confused with Queen Gertrude)
│ │ │
│ ├── 👩👧 Ophelia (Polonius’s Daughter, In Love with Hamlet) 💔
│ │ │
│ └── 💀 Marcellus (A Guard at Elsinore Castle)
│
├── 💀 Rosencrantz (Former Schoolmate of Hamlet)
│ │
├── 💀 Guildenstern (Former Schoolmate of Hamlet)
│ │
└── 💀 Bernardo (A Guard at Elsinore Castle)
Key Relationships
- Hamlet and King Claudius: Nephew Hamlet suspects Uncle Claudius of foul play in his father’s death.
- Hamlet and Ophelia: Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is entangled with his inner turmoil.
- Hamlet and Gertrude: Hamlet’s relationship with his mother, Gertrude, is strained due to her marriage to Claudius.
- Hamlet and Horatio: Horatio is Hamlet’s loyal friend and confidant.
- Hamlet and Laertes: Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, becomes a rival in the quest for vengeance.
- Hamlet and the Ghost: Hamlet’s encounter with his father’s ghost sets the play’s events in motion.
Character Analysis of Hamlet
| Character | Relationship with Hamlet | Character Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hamlet | Protagonist | Prince of Denmark, grieving son of King Hamlet, deeply introspective, feigns madness to avenge his father’s death. |
| King Claudius | Uncle/Stepfather | New king of Denmark, ambitious, manipulative, poisoned King Hamlet, antagonist to Hamlet. |
| Queen Gertrude | Mother | Queen of Denmark, widow of King Hamlet, marries Claudius, conflicted and passive. |
| Ophelia | Love Interest | Daughter of Polonius, Hamlet’s love interest, driven to madness and suicide. |
| Polonius | Lord, Ophelia’s Father | Lord Chamberlain of Denmark, Polonius is a busybody and a foolish courtier. |
| Laertes | Son of Polonius | Ophelia’s brother, impulsive and seeks revenge on Hamlet for his sister’s madness and death. |
| Horatio | Close Friend | Hamlet’s loyal and trusted friend, the voice of reason throughout the play. |
| Rosencrantz & Guildenstern | Childhood Friends | Sent by Claudius to spy on Hamlet, eventually meet their demise. |
| The Ghost of King Hamlet | Father’s Spirit | Appears to Hamlet, urges him to seek revenge for his murder. |
Also, Read
Character analysis of Romeo and Juliet
Character Analysis of Macbeth
