Hamlet: The Arkangel Shakespeare characters

Appears from the start

The prince of Denmark, recalled from university after his father's death. He is grieving, intellectually restless, and disgusted that his mother has quickly married his uncle Claudius. A supernatural demand for revenge turns his private mourning into a moral and political crisis.

Appears from the start

Hamlet's uncle, now king of Denmark and husband to the widowed Queen Gertrude. An assured public speaker, he presents the marriage and succession as a practical restoration of order while managing a military threat from Norway.

Appears from the start

The queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, and Claudius's new wife. She wants Hamlet to set aside prolonged mourning and remain at court, but does not understand the depth of his anger at her remarriage.

Appears from the start

The apparition of Denmark's dead king, seen at night by the castle guard and Horatio before speaking privately to Hamlet. It claims to have been murdered and charges Hamlet with avenging the crime while sparing Gertrude from physical harm.

Appears from the start

Hamlet's trusted friend from university. Skeptical when first told about the ghost, Horatio confirms what he sees and becomes the person Hamlet most readily trusts with his plans and doubts.

Appears from the start

The king's senior counselor and father of Laertes and Ophelia. Verbose, conventional, and confident in his own deductions, he gives elaborate advice to his children and closely supervises their conduct.

Appears from the start

Polonius's daughter, who has received Hamlet's romantic attention. Both her father and brother warn her that a prince may not be free to choose his wife. She is expected to obey her family even when their instructions conflict with Hamlet's behavior toward her.

Appears from the start

Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother, preparing to return to France. Affectionate toward his sister and protective of family honor, he warns Ophelia against relying on Hamlet's declarations of love.

Appears from the start

An officer of the watch at Elsinore who has repeatedly seen the ghost. He brings Horatio into the secret and helps arrange Hamlet's encounter with the apparition.

Appears from the start

The young prince of Norway, whose father lost lands to Hamlet's father. Reports that he is gathering soldiers create an external threat to Denmark while the court is dealing with its disputed succession and Hamlet's grief.

First appears in chapter 2

A former school companion of Hamlet, summoned to Elsinore by Claudius and Gertrude. He accepts the court's request to spend time with the prince and discover the cause of his changed behavior.

First appears in chapter 2

A former school companion of Hamlet who arrives with Rosencrantz. Courteous but evasive about the purpose of the visit, he joins the effort to report Hamlet's private thoughts to the king and queen.

First appears in chapter 2

The leading member of a traveling acting company welcomed by Hamlet at Elsinore. His ability to summon powerful feeling in performance helps Hamlet devise a theatrical test of the ghost's accusation.

First appears in chapter 3

A cemetery worker preparing Ophelia's grave. His practical familiarity with death and delight in riddling argument give Hamlet an encounter with mortality stripped of court ceremony.

First appears in chapter 3

A ceremonious courtier sent to tell Hamlet the terms of a fencing match with Laertes. His ornate manners make him easy for Hamlet to tease, but he reliably carries the court's arrangements toward their final event.