Supporting Characters: Claudius and Polonius

Claudius, Hamlet's uncle and the new King of Denmark, is a complex antagonist in the play. His character is defined by:

1. Ambition: He murders his brother to seize the throne, demonstrating his ruthless pursuit of power.
2. Cunning: Claudius is a master manipulator, using others to achieve his goals.
3. Guilt: Despite his outward confidence, Claudius is haunted by his crime, as revealed in his prayer scene.

Quote: "O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven" - This line reveals Claudius' inner turmoil over his actions.

Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain, serves as both a source of wisdom and comic relief in the play. His character is marked by:

1. Loyalty: He is devoted to the royal family and his duties as Lord Chamberlain.
2. Meddling: Polonius frequently interferes in others' affairs, often to disastrous effect.
3. Verbosity: He is known for his long-winded speeches, despite claiming that "brevity is the soul of wit."

Example: Polonius' advice to his son Laertes, while well-intentioned, is a prime example of his tendency towards lengthy monologues.

Both characters play crucial roles in the plot:

• Claudius' murder of Old Hamlet sets the entire tragedy in motion.
• Polonius' death at Hamlet's hands accelerates the play's tragic conclusion.

Their interactions with Hamlet reveal different aspects of the prince's character and contribute to the play's exploration of themes such as corruption, loyalty, and the nature of appearances versus reality.

Supporting Characters: Laertes and Gertrude

Laertes, son of Polonius and brother to Ophelia, serves as a foil to Hamlet in the play. His character is defined by:

1. Passion: Unlike Hamlet's hesitation, Laertes acts swiftly and decisively, especially when seeking revenge for his father's death.
2. Loyalty: He is deeply devoted to his family, particularly his sister Ophelia.
3. Impulsiveness: Laertes' quick temper leads him to be easily manipulated by Claudius.

Highlight: The contrast between Laertes' immediate action and Hamlet's prolonged hesitation highlights the play's exploration of different approaches to revenge.

Gertrude, Hamlet's mother and the Queen of Denmark, is a complex and somewhat ambiguous character:

1. Ambiguity: It's unclear whether she knew about or was involved in her first husband's murder.
2. Loyalty: She seems torn between her son Hamlet and her new husband Claudius.
3. Sexuality: Her quick remarriage to Claudius is a source of disgust for Hamlet and raises questions about her character.

Quote: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" - This famous line by Gertrude during the play-within-a-play scene has become a widely used phrase in English.

Both characters play crucial roles in the plot:

• Laertes' desire for revenge against Hamlet for his father's death and sister's madness leads to the final tragic confrontation.
• Gertrude's actions and choices deeply affect Hamlet's state of mind and drive much of his behavior throughout the play.

Their relationships with Hamlet reveal different aspects of his character:

• Laertes serves as a counterpoint to Hamlet's indecisiveness.
• Gertrude's relationship with Hamlet is complex, mixing maternal love with disappointment and misunderstanding.

Ophelia: A Tragic Figure

Ophelia, daughter of Polonius and sister to Laertes, is one of the most poignant characters in Hamlet. Her tragic arc serves as a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of the events unfolding in the Danish court.

Key aspects of Ophelia's character include:

1. Innocence: Ophelia is often seen as a symbol of purity and innocence in the corrupt world of Elsinore.
2. Obedience: She is dutiful to her father and brother, often at the expense of her own desires.
3. Vulnerability: Ophelia becomes a victim of the machinations of those around her, particularly the men in her life.

Quote: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance" - Ophelia's famous lines during her madness scene, where she hands out flowers with symbolic meanings.

Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet is central to her character:

• Their romantic involvement is hinted at but never fully realized.
• Hamlet's cruel rejection of Ophelia, whether part of his "antic disposition" or genuine, deeply affects her.

Highlight: The ambiguity of Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia adds to the play's overall theme of uncertainty and appearance versus reality.

Ophelia's descent into madness and eventual death (possibly by suicide) serve as a stark illustration of the collateral damage caused by the main characters' actions. Her tragedy is compounded by the fact that she is largely powerless in the face of the events surrounding her.

Example: Ophelia's famous "mad scene" where she sings and speaks in riddles is often interpreted as a representation of female oppression and the consequences of societal constraints.

Ophelia's character has fascinated audiences and critics for centuries, inspiring numerous artistic interpretations and feminist readings of the play. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of revenge and political intrigue.