Minor Characters Of Shakespeare 's Hamlet

Through the different minor characters, the true feelings and personalities of the main character in a novel or a play come out. Hamlet's weaknesses, strengths, thoughts, and desires came out because of his relationships with others. Without Horatio, Fortinbras, or Laertes, the small aspects of Hamlet's

The final way that Laertes acts as a foil to Hamlet occurs once again when Claudius and Laertes are discussing Laertes’ actions to achieve his vengeance. Claudius gives Laertes advice saying, “That we would do/ we should do when we would; for this ‘would’/ changes” (4.7.134-136). Claudius is warning Laertes that if he waits long enough, he will probably end up not doing anything at all and will not achieve his goal of vengeance. This quote spoken by Claudius is quite similar to when King Hamlet’s ghost meets with Hamlet earlier in the play to warn him about how he was killed by Claudius and that he must get revenge. King Hamlet’s ghost also warns Hamlet saying, “Taint not thy mind” (1.5.92), telling him to not over think his plan because otherwise he will not pursue his vengeance. After Claudius warns Laertes to not get side tracked, the audience is reminded of King Hamlet’s ghost telling Hamlet to not over think because then their plans will not be pursued. This scene acts as a foil towards Hamlet because soon after the conversation, Laertes does pursue his plan of seeking vengeance, whereas Hamlet has been working on his plan the whole play, and has still not started to execute it.

One of the best known pieces of literature throughout the world, Hamlet is also granted a position of excellence as a work of art. One of the elements which makes this play one of such prestige is the manner in which the story unfolds. Throughout time, Shakespeare has been renowned for writing excellent superlative opening scenes for his plays. By reviewing Act 1, Scene 1 of Hamlet, the reader is able to establish a clear understanding of events to come. This scene effectively sets a strong mood for the events to come, gives important background information, and introduces the main characters. With the use of this information, it is simple to see how Shakespeare manages to create stories with such everlasting appeal.

“To be, or not to be, that is the question,” (3.1.64). This famous line in William Shakespeare's Hamlet perfectly encapsulates Hamlet’s internal struggle throughout the play. Hamlet tells the story of the young prince of Denmark and his desire for revenge on the uncle, Claudius, who murdered his father. As is the case in many works of literature, Hamlet changes greatly throughout the play. However, because of his attempts to act insane, it can be difficult to precisely map the changes in Hamlet’s character. By carefully investigating his seven soliloquies, where he is alone and has no need to “put on an antic disposition,” one can understand and interpret how Hamlet’s character develops throughout the play.

Hamlet proves himself a temperamental, twisted character in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The Prince of Denmark conveys his facetious demeanor with his behavior and sharp tongue, especially in scenes with Ophelia and Gertrude. Although Hamlet’s situation is difficult and easily sympathized by viewers, his aggression should ultimately be focused on his murderous uncle.

character of Hamlet, has many character traits which are contrasted by other figures in the play.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a work of immense depth in character development, most notably the personal, moral and psychological battles

In the play, Hamlet (1603), William Shakespeare creates a character, Hamlet, that feels overwhelmed by the weight he puts on himself while seeking vengeance for his father’s murder. Shakespeare is able to illustrate Hamlet’s fragileness through the use of vivid imagery, negative attitude, and aggressive diction. Shakespeare’s purpose in this piece is to show Hamlet during his lowest time in order to reveal a significant portion of his character.

   The main plot of Shakespeare's Hamlet centers around Prince Hamlet's desire to repay King Claudius for his evil deeds. Around this central action revolve the stories concerning the minor characters of Polonius and Ophelia. Though they do not motivate Hamlet's actions towards the King, these characters act as forces upon Hamlet himself, trying to spur him to do things he does not want to do. Both Polonius and Ophelia try, unsuccessfully, to manipulate Hamlet into a place of inferiority.

Hamlet, the titled character of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare’s most prominent play, is arguably the most complex, relatable, and deep character created by Shakespeare. His actions and thoughts throughout the play show the audience how fully developed and unpredictable he is with his mixed personalities. What Hamlet goes through in the play defines the adventures encountered by a tragic hero. In this timeless tragedy, despite Hamlet’s great nobility and knowledge, he has a tragic flaw that ultimately leads to his ironic death.

Hamlet’s character drastically develops over the first four acts of Hamlet, and his character development is most evident through the soliloquys he delivers throughout the play. The most character development can be seen from the first soliloquy, to the second, the third, the sixth, and the seventh and final soliloquy. Hamlet’s inner conflict with his thoughts and his actions are well analyzed in his soliloquys, as well as his struggles with life and death, and his very own existence. He begins the play wondering what purpose he has in life now that his father is dead and his mother has remarried to his uncle. After finding out foul play was involved in his father’s death, he is motivated by revenge. Finally, he wonders how he can enact his revenge while continuously overthinking and overanalyzing his actions.

What would a play be if the main character were to talk on and on without giving other characters time to speak or what would a play be if the main character had no enemies or friends? The obvious answer is boring, so Shakespeare as a playwright, writing to make money, added secondary characters to develop Hamlet as a character, give the audience a break, entertain the audience, and provide external conflict. The secondary characters allow us to know the context of the character's actions and to better connect with the character.

Throughout many of William’s Shakespeare’s plays, Shakespeare creates distinguished characters that serve as foils to the title characters. In Romeo and Juliet, the unseen Rosaline and the conventional Parris contrast with the heavily featured Juliet and her unpredictable partner, Romeo. In Macbeth, the decisive Lady Macbeth contrasts with her indecisive husband, Macbeth. In Hamlet, Shakespeare creates one of his most polarizing title characters. Detailing Hamlet’s quest to avenge his father’s death, Shakespeare shows how Hamlet contrasts with other characters. Hamlet’s foils Laertes, Fortinbras, and Ophelia emphasize Hamlet’s independence, calmness, religiousness, patience, cunningness, rationality, loyalty, intelligence, perseverance, compassion, and honor.

Many times, minor characters go overlooked, their persona is goes undiscovered and their impact on plot and character development is greatly under appreciated. It is crucial for readers to explore the identity of minor characters and what kind of impact they have on character development, especially in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The minor characters play a key role in character development for the main characters. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern offer Hamlet a chance to display not only his kindness and ability to sense something is wrong, but as well as his ruthlessness when people attempt to cross his path. The relationship that Hamlet and Horatio share on the other hand, is pure loyalty and trust. We see Hamlet’s intellect come out once he is around Horatio, and where Horatio is just as much as an intellectual as Hamlet, he his not as ignorant as Hamlet. Polonius is not nearly as intelligent as Hamlet, which Hamlet uses to create comic relief, making Polonius the butt of his joke. And finally, Ophelia. Ophelia is submissive and allows us to see how Hamlet would act with his “perfect” mistress and how Polonius would treat his dutiful daughter. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, minor characters are the foundation of the major characters in the play.

One loses many opportunities every time they hesitate to act. Whether it be unintentional or not, it all depends on the subject in question. In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark, the character Hamlet shows qualities that are evident in his soliloquies. Since the beginning, Hamlet is unable to control his emotions towards Gertrude and Ophelia. He tends to overthink, generating doubt around life and death. Though impossible and inconvenient at times, Hamlet strives for an idealistic approach, such as justification for killing Claudius. Hamlet’s complex personality and unpredictable nature delay the commitment he makes to avenge his father.