hamlet study guide

Hamlet

prince of Denmark, protagonist

Where did Hamlet attend school?

University of Wittenberg

Claudius

king of Denmark, protagonist, Hamlet’s uncle

How did Claudius kill Old Hamlet?

poured poison in his ear

Claudius description

charismatic, manipulative, and complex

Gertrude

queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother

Why does Gertrude use men?

for self-preservation and status

Gertrude description

poor judgment, maternal affection, lacks critical reflection

Polonius

lord chamberlain of Claudius’s court

Who is Polonius the father of?

Laertes and Ophelia

Why is Polonius’ family unit special?

secure unlike Hamlet’s family

Polonius description

pompous, conniving, lacks self-awareness

Ophelia

Polonius’s daughter and Hamlet’s lover

Who dictates Ophelia’s life?

Polonius, Laertes, Hamlet

What causes Ophelia’s madness?

pressure from her family, Hamlet’s verbal abuse, and the death of Polonius

How does Ophelia show grief?

speaks incoherently, sings folk songs, and distributes flowers

Laertes

Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother

Laertes description

focused on honor and protecting his family, foil to Hamlet

The Ghost

specter of Hamlet’s father

Why is the Ghost significant to the play?

incites the plot but might not be the King at all

Horatio

Hamlet’s close friend, student from University of Wittenberg

What does Hamlet stop Horatio from doing?

committing suicide

Fortinbras

Prince of Norway

Why does Fortinbras want to attack Denmark?

to avenge his father

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

childhood friends used to spy on Hamlet

Osric

foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes

Yorick

jester who entertained and cared for Hamlet as a child, Hamlet holds his skull

Marcellus and Bernardo

watchmen who first see the ghost

First Player (Player King)

member of acting troupe, has the role of a king murdered by his nephew

Voltimand and Cornelius

courtiers whom Claudius sends to Norway to persuade the king to prevent Fortinbras from attacking

Francisco

soldier and guardsman

Reynaldo

Polonius’s servant, sent to France to spy on Laertes