Hamlet by William Shakespeare - Characters and Key Themes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and important themes from Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet'.

Hamlet

The protagonist, Prince of Denmark, son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude.

King Claudius

The antagonist, Hamlet's uncle, who has murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother.

Queen Gertrude

Hamlet's mother, who marries Claudius shortly after her husband's death.

Ophelia

Hamlet's love interest, daughter of Polonius.

Polonius

Father of Ophelia and Laertes, counselor to King Claudius.

Laertes

Ophelia's brother who seeks revenge for Polonius's death.

Fortinbras

Prince of Norway who seeks to regain lands lost by his father.

The Ghost

The spirit of Hamlet’s father, who reveals the truth about his murder.

Madness

A central theme in the play, depicted through Hamlet's behavior and Ophelia's descent into insanity.

Revenge

The driving force behind Hamlet's actions after learning of his father's murder.

Mortality

A recurring theme illustrated through the graveyard scene and reflections on death.

Corruption

The political and moral decay in Denmark, evident in Claudius's rule.

Fate vs Free Will

The struggle between predetermined destiny and individual choice, involved in Hamlet's dilemmas.

Appearance vs Reality

A major theme showcased in the deceptive nature of characters and events in the play.

Duality

The theme of complexity and contradiction, illustrated through Hamlet's character.

The play-within-a-play

A strategy used by Hamlet to gauge King Claudius's guilt in the murder of Hamlet’s father.

Yorick's skull

Symbolizes the inevitability of death and the futility of life, as seen in Hamlet's reflection on mortality.

The Danish court

A setting that serves as the backdrop for themes of power, corruption, and intrigue.

Heroic ideal vs. moral complexity

The contrast between traditional heroic values and the morally ambiguous actions of characters.