“Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare around 1600, is one of the most iconic tragedies in English literature. It’s a story about a prince named Hamlet who seeks to avenge his father’s death. When Hamlet’s father dies, his uncle marries his mother and becomes king. Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, who tells him that he was murdered by Hamlet’s uncle. This revelation leads Hamlet on a quest for revenge, but he struggles with doubts and uncertainties along the way. The play delves into themes of madness, revenge, morality, and the complexity of human emotions. Ultimately, it’s a tragic tale of a young man caught in a web of deceit and betrayal as he tries to navigate his duty to his father and his own moral compass.
The main characters in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”
Character | Description |
---|---|
Hamlet | The Prince of Denmark who is mourning his father’s death and seeks revenge against his uncle, Claudius, for murdering his father. |
Claudius | Hamlet’s uncle who becomes the new king after marrying Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude; he is suspected of murdering Hamlet’s father to seize the throne. |
Gertrude | Hamlet’s mother, newly married to Claudius after the death of Hamlet’s father; her actions and decisions influence the events in the play. |
Polonius | The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s court; a fatherly figure who offers advice to his children, Laertes and Ophelia, and spies on Hamlet for Claudius. |
Ophelia | Polonius’s daughter and Hamlet’s love interest; she becomes a pawn in the political intrigues, which leads to her tragic madness and eventual death. |
Horatio | Hamlet’s loyal friend and confidant; he provides counsel to Hamlet and serves as a trustworthy companion throughout the play. |
Laertes | Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother; he seeks revenge against Hamlet for his father’s death, leading to a tragic confrontation. |
Ghost | The spirit of Hamlet’s father who appears to Hamlet, revealing the truth about his murder and influencing Hamlet’s actions throughout the play. |
Fortinbras | The Prince of Norway; his quest for power serves as a contrast to Hamlet’s indecisiveness and his pursuit of revenge. |
Rosencrantz | Childhood friend of Hamlet; manipulated by Claudius and Gertrude to spy on Hamlet. |
Guildenstern | Another childhood friend of Hamlet; like Rosencrantz, used by Claudius and Gertrude to gather information about Hamlet. |