Hamlet - Characters I

Question 1

hamlet

Answer 1

• most dynamic and challenging character
• his sorrow and erratic behavior make him off kilter
• he thinks he is in control
• he has lost grip on reality
• obsessed with his mother’s relationship with Claudius
• even though he is tasked with killing someone else, he considers killing himself
• struggles with the idea of killing someone
• more to him than just his sadness
• want to be true to himself
• not a killer
• rude to Ophelia

Question 2

Claudius

Answer 2

• unbelievably vial
• author does not want us to identify with Claudius, but shows some positive aspects
• main concern is maintaining his power

Question 3

Gertrude

Answer 3

• static character
• loves hamlet and Claudius, but isn’t loyal to either
• hamlet is too loyal to his family, and she isn’t as loyal
• queen but does not have much power
• at the whim of hamlet and Claudius
• more loyal to hamlet

Question 4

answers

Answer 4

• he is torn, erratic
• she is submissive, foolish
• he is powerful
• death
• he uses hamlet, the king
• he secretly values power above all else
• manipulative leader
• intensely loyal