3. Main Characters Claudius: King of Denmark Hamlet: Son of the former king, and nephew of the present King Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet Polonius: Claudius's trusted chief counselor Ophelia: Daughter to Polonius Laertes: Son to Polonius Horatio: Friend to Hamlet Rosencrantz, Guildenstern: Courtiers, friends to Hamlet Voltimand, Cornelius: Courtiers Ghost of Hamlet’s Father Fortinbras: Prince of Norway Gravediggers: A sexton and a clown Osric: A courtier