Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: The crown prince of Denmark who returns from the university in Wittenberg, Germany, to find his father dead, his mother married to the king's brother Claudius, and Claudius newly self-crowned King.
Claudius, King of Denmark: Dead King Hamlet's brother who has usurped the throne and married his sister-in-law.
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark: Prince Hamlet's mother, King Hamlet's widow, King Claudius’ wife.
The Ghost: Spirit of the late King Hamlet, condemned to walk the earth until his soul is cleansed of its sins.
Polonius: The elderly Lord Chamberlain, chief counselor to Claudius.
Horatio: A commoner, Horatio went to school with Hamlet and remains his loyal best friend.
Laertes: A student in Paris, Laertes is Polonius' son and Ophelia's brother; he returns from school because of King Hamlet's death, leaves to go back to Paris, and then returns again after his own father’s murder.
Ophelia: Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes, Ophelia is beloved of Hamlet.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Classmates of Hamlet's in Wittenberg. Claudius summons them to Elsinore to spy on Prince Hamlet.
Fortinbras: King of Norway, bound to avenge his father's death by the Danes' hands.
Osric: Affected courtier who plays a minor role as the King's messenger and as umpire of the fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes.
Voltimand and Cornelius: Danish courtiers who are sent as ambassadors to the Court of Norway.
Marcellus and Barnardo: Danish officers on guard at the castle of Elsinore.
Francisco: Danish soldier on guard at the castle of Elsinore.
Reynaldo: Young man whom Polonius instructs and sends to Paris to observe and report on Laertes' conduct.
Two Clowns (the Gravediggers): Two rustics (identified as clowns) who dig Ophelia's grave.
