Shakespeare for Kids Hamlet characters

Appears from the start

A student and loyal friend of Prince Hamlet. Summoned to the castle after guards see an apparition, he is skeptical at first but becomes a trusted witness to the strange events around the royal family.

Also known as Ghost of King Hamlet

Appears from the start

An apparition resembling Denmark's dead king, dressed in armor. Its silent appearances to the night watch lead Horatio and the guards to seek out Prince Hamlet.

Also known as King Claudius

First appears in chapter 2

The new king of Denmark, brother of the recently deceased King Hamlet and new husband of Queen Gertrude. He presents the marriage and succession as a return to political stability.

First appears in chapter 2

The prince of Denmark, grieving for his father and distressed by his mother's rapid marriage to Claudius. He feels isolated at court and wants to return to his studies in Wittenberg.

Also known as Queen Gertrude

First appears in chapter 2

Hamlet's mother, formerly married to the dead king and now queen beside Claudius. She urges her son to end his prolonged mourning and remain with the court.

First appears in chapter 2

The royal counselor and father of Laertes and Ophelia. Confident in his own judgment and fond of lengthy advice, he is eager to prove his usefulness to the new king.

First appears in chapter 2

Polonius's son and Ophelia's brother. Preparing to return to France, he warns Ophelia not to assume that Hamlet's attention can overcome the political demands placed on a prince.

First appears in chapter 2

A Norwegian prince seeking to recover territory his father lost to Denmark. His military preparations create a political concern for Claudius's new government.

First appears in chapter 3

Polonius's daughter, who has received Hamlet's romantic attention. Pressured by both her father and brother, she agrees to avoid private contact with the prince.

First appears in chapter 6

A former school companion of Hamlet, invited to court by Claudius and Gertrude. He agrees to spend time with the prince while quietly reporting what he learns to the king.

First appears in chapter 6

A former school companion of Hamlet who arrives with Rosencrantz. He joins the court's attempt to discover the reason for Hamlet's changed behavior.

First appears in chapter 7

The leading performer in a visiting theater company. His command of tragic storytelling gives Hamlet an idea for testing whether the Ghost's accusation is true.

Also known as First Clown

First appears in chapter 19

A cemetery worker who treats death with practical humor while digging Ophelia's grave. His handling of old bones forces Hamlet to confront how completely death erases social rank.