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Hamlet Character Names

18 characters · Book

Hamlet /HAM-lit/ The Prince of Denmark, consumed by grief and seeking revenge for his father's murder. Claudius /KLAW-dee-us/ Hamlet's uncle and stepfather, the manipulative and power-hungry King of Denmark. Gertrude /GUR-trood/ Hamlet's mother, the Queen of Denmark, who quickly remarries Claudius after her husband's death. Polonius /puh-LOH-nee-us/ The Lord Chamberlain, a pompous and meddling advisor to the King. Ophelia /oh-FEE-lee-uh/ Polonius's daughter and Hamlet's love interest, who is driven to madness by the events of the play. Laertes /lay-UR-teez/ Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, a foil to Hamlet who seeks revenge for his father's and sister's deaths. Horatio /huh-RAY-shee-oh/ Hamlet's loyal and trusted friend, a scholar who serves as a voice of reason. Rosencrantz /ROH-zen-krants/ One of Hamlet's childhood friends, summoned to Elsinore by Claudius to spy on Hamlet. Guildenstern /GIL-den-stern/ Another of Hamlet's childhood friends, summoned to Elsinore along with Rosencrantz to spy on Hamlet. Fortinbras /FOR-tin-brass/ Prince of Norway, who seeks to avenge his father's death and reclaim lands lost to Denmark. Ghost /GOHST/ The spirit of Hamlet's deceased father, who reveals his murder and demands revenge. Osric /OZ-rick/ A courtier who delivers the terms of the fencing match to Hamlet. Marcellus /mar-SEL-us/ A soldier and officer of the guard at Elsinore Castle. He encounters the Ghost alongside Barnardo and Horatio in Act 1. Barnardo /bar-NAR-do/ A soldier and officer who stands guard at Elsinore Castle. He opens the play by challenging Marcellus at the castle gate. Reynaldo /ray-NAL-do/ A servant or agent employed by Polonius. He is dispatched to spy on Laertes in Paris during Act 2. Voltimand /VOL-ti-mand/ A Danish courtier and ambassador. He is sent to deliver King Claudius's message to the King of Norway in Act 2. Cornelius /kor-NAY-lee-us/ A courtier and ambassador of Denmark. He accompanies Voltimand on the diplomatic mission to Norway in Act 2. Lucianus /loo-shee-AY-nus/ A character in the play-within-a-play 'The Mousetrap' presented before Claudius. He is the nephew of the King who murders the reigning monarch.

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