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

Laertes: The Avenger in the Shadows

Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, embodies the quest for revenge throughout Hamlet. He reacts passionately to personal loss and dishonor, particularly after his father’s death and Ophelia’s tragic fate. His pursuit of vengeance, often contrasting with Hamlet’s indecision, drives a subplot that mirrors and amplifies the theme of retributive justice in the play.