Hamlet

Cast of Characters

Hamlet

!   Prince of Denmark

!   son of the dead King Hamlet

!   nephew to the present ruler of Denmark

!   he has returned to Elsinore because of his father’s death

!   about 30 years old

Claudius

!   King of Denmark (he succeeded his brother to the throne)

!   married his brother’s wife

!   Hamlet’s uncle and stepfather

Gertrude

!   Queen of Denmark

!   Hamlet’s mother

Polonius

!   Elderly Lord Chamberlain

!   Chief advisor to Claudius

!   Father of Laertes and Ophelia

Laertes

!   Polonius’ son

!   Ophelia’s protective brother

!   a student at the University of Paris who, like Hamlet, has returned to Elsinore because of King Hamlet’s death

Ophelia

!   Obedient daughter of Polonius

!   Laertes’ sister

!   Hamlet’s girlfriend

Horatio

!   Studied with Hamlet at the University of Wittenberg

!   Loyal friend of Hamlet

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

!   Schoolfellows and friends of Hamlet

!   They are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior

Fortinbras

!   Prince of Norway

!   a valiant young man who, like Hamlet, has lost a father

Minor Characters

!   Marcellus, Bernardo, and Francisco- Danish officers on guard at the castle of Elsinore.

! Voltemand and Cornelius- Danish courtiers who are sent as ambassadors to the Court of Norway

!   Reynaldo- young man whom Polonius instructs and sends to Paris to observe and report on Laertes’ conduct

! Yorick- deceased court jester

! Osric- courtier who plays a minor role as the King’s messenger; umpire of the fencing match

!   The Players- a travelling company of actors