Key Characters in Hamlet

• Hamlet – The conflicted Prince of Denmark
• Claudius – The usurping King of Denmark
• Gertrude – Hamlet’s mother and Queen
• Polonius – The meddling court adviser
• Ophelia – Polonius’s daughter, entangled in Hamlet’s fate
• Laertes – Ophelia’s brother, seeking revenge
• Horatio – Hamlet’s loyal friend and confidant
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern – Courtiers manipulated by Claudius
• The Ghost – The spirit of King Hamlet, whose appearance sets the play in motion
• Fortinbras – The Prince of Norway, representing external political tension

Hamlet: The Conflicted Prince of Denmark

Hamlet is a character torn by internal struggles. He wrestles with grief, revenge, and moral uncertainty after his father’s death and his mother’s swift remarriage. His introspective nature leads to deep philosophical questions about life, death, and fate, resulting in ongoing indecision that defines his character throughout the play.