Hamlet's ACT I Characters :
Who's Who?
- HAMLET - Prince of Denmark; the main character and the protagonist of the play. He is the son of Queen Gertrude and recently deceased King Hamlet; also the nephew of present King Claudius. Hamlet is depressed because of his father's death and is consumed with hatred for his uncle due to his desire and lust for Gertrude. He is also bitter, yet shy and hesitant.
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- CLAUDIUS - King of Denmark; Hamlet's uncle and Queen Gertrude's husband; antagonist of the play. Claudius is a challenging and scheming man of lust who hungers for power; however, does feel an innocent attraction to Gertrude.
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- GERTRUDE - Queen of Denmark; Hamlet's mother; Claudius's wife. Gertrude adores her son, but is blinded by her affections for Claudius. She is very shallow and clueless when it comes to Hamlet's feelings.
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- POLONIUS - Lord Chamberlain of Claudius's court; father of Laertes and Ophelia. Polonius is is a portentous and shrewd old man.
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- HORATIO - Hamlet's best friend; very loyal and trustworthy
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- OPHELIA - Polonius's daughter; Laertes's sister; beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet had a love affair; shy and filled with innocence
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- LAERTES - Polonius's son; Ophelia's brother; protective of his sister and full of passion
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- FORTINBRAS - Prince of Norway; his father was killed by Hamlet's father; wants to attack Denmark to honor his late father by avenging him. I believe he is the foil for Hamlet.
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- THE GHOST - Phantom of Hamlet's late father; claims that it was Claudius that murdered him. Has yet to be revealed if (accordingto Hamlet) is either his father's ghost or an evil demon impersonating King Hamlet.
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- MARCELLUS & BERNARDO - Nightwatch officers in the beginning of the play who see the ghost first and call Horatio to see it for himself. Marcellus witnesses Hamlet's first sighting of the ghost.
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- FRANCISCO - Another officer and nightwatch man
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