Characters
He is the Prince of Denmark and the play’s protagonist.
Hamlet
“To be, or not to be: that is the question” is spoken by this character.
Hamlet
The struggle between action and inaction in Hamlet’s mind highlights this theme.
Indecision/delay
The play begins with a ghost appearing on this location.
Castle
Hamlet frequently speaks alone on stage to reveal his inner thoughts; this is called a…
Soliloquy
This character marries Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, shortly after King Hamlet’s death.
Claudius
“This above all: to thine own self be true” is advice given by this character.
Polonius
The play frequently explores this idea, shown through death, decay, and corpses.
Mortality and morality
Hamlet stages this type of performance to “catch the conscience of the king.”
A play/the mousetrap
The Ghost’s appearances serve as this device, warning the audience of events to come.
Foreshadowing
Hamlet’s faithful friend and fellow student at Wittenberg.
Horatio
“I am thy father’s spirit, doomed for a certain term to walk the night…”
The Ghost of King Hamlet
Hamlet’s distrust of Claudius and others illustrates this common theme.
Betrayal/deception
Hamlet mistakenly kills this character behind the arras in Gertrude’s room.
Polonius
Hamlet’s behaviour, especially toward Ophelia, creates a difference between appearance and reality, which is called…
Dramatic irony
This character is Hamlet’s love interest, who tragically dies by drowning.
Ophelia
“Get thee to a nunnery!” is shouted at this character by Hamlet.
Ophelia
This theme is shown through Ophelia’s madness and Hamlet’s feigned madness.
Appearance vs. reality
This character challenges Hamlet to a duel with poisoned swords.
Laertes
Polonius' son
Laertes
The play’s focus on revenge reflects this larger moral dilemma.
Revenge and justice