Hamlet by William Shakespeare
MAIN CHARACTERS
Hamlet
Who he is: Prince of Denmark
Key traits:
• Intelligent, philosophical
• Indecisive / overthinks
• Emotional but also sarcastic
• Obsessed with truth and justice
Key points:
• Wants to avenge his father’s murder
• Pretends to be mad (but also becomes unstable)
• Delays killing Claudius → causes more deaths
• Accepts fate at the end
Theme link: Revenge, madness, death
Memory line:
“Thinks too much, acts too late.”
King Claudius
Who he is: King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle
Key traits:
• Manipulative, clever
• Power-hungry
• Guilty but still evil
Key points:
• Kills King Hamlet (his brother)
• Marries Gertrude quickly
• Plots to kill Hamlet (England plan + poison duel)
• Pretends to be a good king
,Theme link: Corruption, power, deception
Memory line:
“Smiling villain hiding guilt.”
Gertrude
Who she is: Hamlet’s mother, Queen
Key traits:
• Weak, dependent
• Loving but naive
• Avoids conflict
Key points:
• Marries Claudius too quickly
• Doesn’t fully understand the situation
• Drinks poison (accidentally) and dies
Theme link: Loyalty, morality, blindness
Memory line:
“Chooses comfort over truth.”
Ophelia
Who she is: Hamlet’s love interest
Key traits:
• Innocent, obedient
• Controlled by others
• Emotionally fragile
Key points:
• Used by her father and the king
• Rejected by Hamlet
• Goes mad after Polonius dies
• Drowns
,Theme link: Madness, innocence, control
Memory line:
“Controlled, broken, destroyed.”
Laertes
Who he is: Polonius’ son
Key traits:
• Passionate, impulsive
• Honour-driven
• Acts quickly
Key points:
• Seeks revenge immediately
• Teams up with Claudius
• Uses poisoned sword
• Regrets actions before death
Theme link: Revenge, action vs inaction
Memory line:
“Acts fast, thinks later.”
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Polonius
Who he is: Advisor to the king
Key traits:
• Talkative, controlling
• Manipulative
• Thinks he is wise
, Key points:
• Spies on Hamlet
• Controls Ophelia
• Killed by Hamlet
Memory line:
“Talks too much, dies for it.”
Ghost of King Hamlet
Who he is: Hamlet’s dead father
Key traits:
• Serious, commanding
• Demands revenge
Key points:
• Reveals Claudius’ crime
• Starts the whole revenge plot
Memory line:
“Voice of revenge.”
Horatio
Who he is: Hamlet’s best friend
Key traits:
• Loyal, calm
• Rational, trustworthy
Key points:
• Supports Hamlet throughout
• Survives to tell the story
Memory line:
“Loyal till the end.”
MAIN CHARACTERS
Hamlet
Who he is: Prince of Denmark
Key traits:
• Intelligent, philosophical
• Indecisive / overthinks
• Emotional but also sarcastic
• Obsessed with truth and justice
Key points:
• Wants to avenge his father’s murder
• Pretends to be mad (but also becomes unstable)
• Delays killing Claudius → causes more deaths
• Accepts fate at the end
Theme link: Revenge, madness, death
Memory line:
“Thinks too much, acts too late.”
King Claudius
Who he is: King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle
Key traits:
• Manipulative, clever
• Power-hungry
• Guilty but still evil
Key points:
• Kills King Hamlet (his brother)
• Marries Gertrude quickly
• Plots to kill Hamlet (England plan + poison duel)
• Pretends to be a good king
,Theme link: Corruption, power, deception
Memory line:
“Smiling villain hiding guilt.”
Gertrude
Who she is: Hamlet’s mother, Queen
Key traits:
• Weak, dependent
• Loving but naive
• Avoids conflict
Key points:
• Marries Claudius too quickly
• Doesn’t fully understand the situation
• Drinks poison (accidentally) and dies
Theme link: Loyalty, morality, blindness
Memory line:
“Chooses comfort over truth.”
Ophelia
Who she is: Hamlet’s love interest
Key traits:
• Innocent, obedient
• Controlled by others
• Emotionally fragile
Key points:
• Used by her father and the king
• Rejected by Hamlet
• Goes mad after Polonius dies
• Drowns
,Theme link: Madness, innocence, control
Memory line:
“Controlled, broken, destroyed.”
Laertes
Who he is: Polonius’ son
Key traits:
• Passionate, impulsive
• Honour-driven
• Acts quickly
Key points:
• Seeks revenge immediately
• Teams up with Claudius
• Uses poisoned sword
• Regrets actions before death
Theme link: Revenge, action vs inaction
Memory line:
“Acts fast, thinks later.”
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Polonius
Who he is: Advisor to the king
Key traits:
• Talkative, controlling
• Manipulative
• Thinks he is wise
, Key points:
• Spies on Hamlet
• Controls Ophelia
• Killed by Hamlet
Memory line:
“Talks too much, dies for it.”
Ghost of King Hamlet
Who he is: Hamlet’s dead father
Key traits:
• Serious, commanding
• Demands revenge
Key points:
• Reveals Claudius’ crime
• Starts the whole revenge plot
Memory line:
“Voice of revenge.”
Horatio
Who he is: Hamlet’s best friend
Key traits:
• Loyal, calm
• Rational, trustworthy
Key points:
• Supports Hamlet throughout
• Survives to tell the story
Memory line:
“Loyal till the end.”
