Hamlet (character)

"Why, then, ’tis none to you, for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison."

- Act 2 Scene 2

Prince Hamlet of Denmark, or Hamlet, is the main protagonist, the titular character and anti-hero in William Shakespeare's play of the same name. He is the son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude, and the nephew of Claudius.

He is driven with insanity and revenge when he learns that his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius, but ends up being caught up in various problems he can't solve.

Hamlet is among one of Shakespeare's most famous characters as well as being the most dramatic character in theatre.

Description
Prince Hamlet is a young man whose attitude and quotes have fascinated and inspired readers and audiences for centuries. What some don't know about him is he is a different person even when he speaks out his monologues and soliloquies that offer an analyzed meaning in his soul and mind. He questions himself what is the difference of his belief and if his revenge should be justified.

Death of Father
Prince Hamlet is present inside a stateroom at Elsinore Castle, along with a group of other courtiers, as his uncle Claudius holds court. He listens as the new king delivers a monologue about the death of his brother and his recent marriage to his widowed sister-in-law Queen Gertrude, as well as the actions of the Norwegian king Fortinbras. Two courtiers receive a letter from Claudius that was to be delivered to Fortinbras' ill uncle, and Laertes, who is also present at the court, is granted permission by the King to return to France.

Hamlet is then looked at by his mother and uncle, as the prince is wearing black mourning clothes and is feeling depressed. When asked by Gertrude to get over his mourning grief, Hamlet replies in a sombre tone that he is still affected by his father's sudden passing. Claudius gives his new stepson some advice on losing a parent and urges him to look up to him as a father. Hamlet is also told by the king that he should reconsider returning to school at Witternburg (where he attended prior to King Hamlet's death) and his parents beg him to stay in Denmark since he is next in line to the throne. He stiffly obeys this request and is left alone as the royal couple and the court leave.

On his own, Hamlet laments on how weary his life has been since the death of his father two months ago and his mother's hasty marriage to his uncle. He wishes that he could kill himself and cease to exist, and wishes to God that suicide wasn't a sin. He finds himself tormented by thoughts of the strange twists in his family life and decides to keep quiet.

Hamlet's close friend from school Horatio arrives, followed by Marcellus and Barnardo. The prince, who hadn't seen his friend in a while, is overjoyed to see him and asks him why he is at Elsinore and not at school. Horatio says he came to attend King Hamlet's funeral, while Hamlet retorts that Horatio had also witnessed the wedding of Claudius and Gertrude if he was here for the funeral. He again laments of his mother's quick marriage and the world never seeing a man like his father again.

Hamlet is shocked when Horatio states that he had just saw the ghost of King Hamlet just the other night and that it has been seen by Marcellus and Barnardo for three nights in a row. The prince becomes fascinated and asks more details about the ghost, with the men describing the king as wearing full armour with his visor up and very pale. Hamlet agrees to join the watch with them that night and hopes he would be able to see the apparition himself. He thanks them for his friendship and after they leave, he wonders what kind of news the ghost would bring to him.

Relationships
Horatio: His closest friend and ally. Tells his story after he dies.