Prince Hamlet Character Analysis

Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, presents a series of characters with complex relationships. Hamlet’s relationship with his father provides the foundation for which all others will build from, including Hamlet’s interpersonal relationship with himself. Hamlet is presented as a tragic figure whose sanity is undetermined. Throughout the film Prince Hamlet rambles on about the world around him and the thoughts that haunt him. Shakespeare seems to use Hamlet’s insanity as a way to narrate his play, as he thinks out loud. Hamlet’s sanity is based on different perspectives of characters, which are not all privilege to the same information. Hamlet refers to his madness as his enemy, but his insanity appears to protect him at certain times throughout the play. Hamlet madness allows him to deny his love for Ophelia and makes him less of a threat to Claudius, as the rightful heir to the Danish throne.
Horatio is Hamlet’s best friend, loyal confidant, and fellow student at Wittenberg. Horatio …show more content…
Laertes did not approve of Hamlet’s intentions toward his sister Ophelia. He felt that even if Hamlet loved Ophelia he would not be allowed to follow his heart. Hamlet’s station as prince of Denmark came with social rules and expectations that must guide his heart and his behavior. Laertes intentions to protect his sister were honorable, but he was seduced by Claudius to get revenge in a way that went against his honor. Claudius hatred towards Hamlet was used to fuel Laertes grief stricken ambitions to avenge his father’s and sister’s death. Rather than conducting the duel like the gentleman, he was known to be, Laertes poisoned the end of his sword, ensuring the outcome in his favor. Gertrude 's words to Ophelia as they laid her in the ground proved Laertes’ concerns we 're unfounded. Gertrude whispered to Ophelia that she had hoped Ophelia would have become Hamlet’s