Characters
Hamlet has a tightly connected cast — nearly every character is tied to the royal family by blood, marriage or service. These 10 questions cover them.
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Draw a quick family tree: Hamlet, his father, his mother Gertrude, and his uncle/stepfather Claudius — the rest of the cast orbits around them.
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Who is Gertrude?
Hamlet’s mother, and Queen of Denmark. She remarries Claudius shortly after her husband’s death.
Her quick remarriage disturbs Hamlet deeply.
Who is Ophelia?
Polonius’ daughter, and Hamlet’s love interest.
She descends into madness and drowns after her father’s death.
Who is Laertes?
Polonius’ son and Ophelia’s brother.
He seeks revenge on Hamlet for killing his father and, indirectly, for Ophelia’s death.
Who is Horatio?
Hamlet’s loyal friend, one of the few characters who survives the play.
He is the one Hamlet trusts to tell his story afterward.
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Hamlet’s childhood friends, sent by Claudius to spy on him.
They are eventually sent to England along with Hamlet, and are killed there instead of him.
What is Polonius’ role at court?
He is Claudius’ chief advisor, and father to Laertes and Ophelia.
He is often portrayed as long-winded and overly cautious.
How does Claudius attempt to have Hamlet killed while he is sent to England?
He sends a secret letter asking the English king to execute Hamlet on arrival.
Hamlet discovers and rewrites the letter, escaping the plot.
What plan do Claudius and Laertes devise to kill Hamlet in the final duel?
A poisoned blade and a poisoned cup of wine, as a backup.
Both are eventually used, and both plans go fatally wrong for their own side too.
What happens to Gertrude at the end of the play?
She drinks from the poisoned cup meant for Hamlet and dies.
It is unclear in the text whether she realizes the cup is poisoned before drinking.
Who arrives at the very end of the play to take control of Denmark?
Fortinbras, Prince of Norway.
His arrival provides a sense of political order restored after the deaths.
What to learn next
Next: Level 3, "Themes and Motifs" — the ideas underneath the plot.
Continue to Level 3: Themes and Motifs →