Shakespeares Hamlet to pass ALevel Exam

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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

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Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Tools of Manipulation

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are minor courtiers whose primary function is to serve King Claudius. Their role is to infiltrate Hamlet's inner circle, monitoring his behavior and relaying information back to the king. As pawns in Claudius's political game, they embody themes of manipulation and moral ambiguity, illustrating how individuals can be used as instruments in the pursuit of power, often without a clear grasp of the unfolding consequences.

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