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Hamlet: Dramatis Personae

Please see Shakespeare's Characters: A to Z for a pronunciation guide.

Claudius, King of Denmark

Hamlet, son to the late, and nephew to the present king

Polonius, Lord Chamberlain

Horatio, friend to Hamlet

Laertes, son to Polonius

Voltimand, Cornelius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Osric, A Gentleman, courtiers

A Priest

Marcellus, Barnardo, officers

Francisco, a soldier

Reynaldo, servant to Polonius

Players

Two Clowns, grave-diggers

Fortinbras, Prince of Norway

A Captain

English Ambassadors

Gertrude, Queen of Denmark and mother to Hamlet

Ophelia, daughter to Polonius

Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attendants

Ghost of Hamlet's Father


Scene: Denmark

Next: Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 1

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Related Articles

 Hamlet: Problem Play and Revenge Tragedy
 The Elder Hamlet: The Kingship of Hamlet's Father
 Hamlet's Relationship with the Ghost
 The Significance of the Ghost in Armor
 Claudius and the Condition of Denmark
 The Death of Polonius and its Impact on Hamlet's Character

 Revenge in Hamlet
 Deception in Hamlet
 The Hamlet and Ophelia Subplot
 The Norway (Fortinbras) Subplot

 Blank Verse and Diction in Shakespeare's Hamlet
 Hamlet's Silence
 Analysis of the Characters in Hamlet
 Hamlet's Humor: The Wit of Shakespeare's Prince of Denmark
 Hamlet as National Hero
 Hamlet's Melancholy: The Transformation of the Prince
 Hamlet's Antic Disposition: Is Hamlet's Madness Real?
 Foul Deeds Will Rise: Hamlet and Divine Justice

 Soliloquy Analysis: O this too too... (1.2.131)
 
Soliloquy Analysis: O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!... (2.2.555-612)
 
Soliloquy Analysis: To be, or not to be... (3.1.64-98)
 
Soliloquy Analysis: Tis now the very witching time of night... (3.2.380-91)
 
Soliloquy Analysis: Now might I do it pat... (3.3.77-100)
 
Soliloquy Analysis: How all occasions do inform against me... (4.4.35-69)

 
Sources for Hamlet
 Quotations from Hamlet (with commentary)
 Hamlet Study Quiz (with detailed answers)
 Hamlet: Q & A