Hamlet Act 3 Characters

Hamlet Act 3 Characters

1. Horatio

   • Contrasts with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
   • Hamlet trusts him completely - first person he reveals true feelings to
   • Loyal and true

2. Polonius

   • Loyal to the throne
   • Frequently stoops to spying
   • Deceitful and cunning
   • Low moral standards
   • Unscrupulous
   • Garrulous

3. Ophelia

   • Young and innocent
   • Inexperienced in the ways of the world
   • Docile, timid, gentle
   • Deals with Hamlet's madness with dignity
   • Naive

4. Gertrude

   • Wishes Hamlet would make peace with Claudius
   • Didn't feel any remorse for her past
   • Bewildered at Hamlet's storm of abuse
   • Blind to presence of ghost suggests moral blindness
   • Insensitive
   • Wants to protect Hamlet - shows love for him
   • Kind to Ophelia

5. Claudius

   • Rightful king
   • Striking courtly figure
   • Courteous and dignified
   • Handles state affairs with confidence
   • Diplomat, man of words
   • Shrewd
   • Realises Hamlet is dangerous
   • Unscrupulous about spying
   • Ruthless
   • Not totally devoid of conscience
   • Has a spiritual side
   • Knows full horror of his son and acknowledges he cannot hope for forgiveness since he can't give up what he gained by murdering his brother
   • Faces truth about himself

6. Hamlet

   • Interest in theatre
   • Friendly and hospitable towards friends and players
   • Loss of belief in the nobleness of man affects his personality
   • Philosopher and poet
   • His thinking often restrains him from action
   • Courageous, capable of action
   • Savage side emerges in his brutal verbal attack on Gertrude and Ophelia
   • Hamlet is not cruel by nature
   • Never loses contact with reality
   • Madness is a form of ironic mockery
   • Unpredictable
   • Complex
   • Capable of cruelty

7. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

   • Betray friendship with Hamlet by siding with the King
   • Little moral sense
   • Disloyal to Hamlet
   • Flatter the king to gain favour