Hamlets minor characters
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
HAMLET: THE MINOR CHARACTERS
JOHN SOUSA 12-23-03
In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", the powerful main character, Hamlet, has a very evident influence on the other minor characters in the play. Hamlet's role as a prince in Denmark and the high stature in which his role carries is a major influence on the actions of the minor characters in the play. Hamlet's emotional demeanor and the actions which tend to be associated with his mental state make a direct impact on the minor characters.
In the era in which this play is set, role and rank play a direct role in the actions and interactions of the people. Hamlet's major role as the Prince of Denmark instills a sense of trepidation and even envy on the other characters in the play. The consideration of Hamlet's role in the Danish court is essential in comprehending the reasons associated with Hamlet's influence on the other characters in the play.
A character who shows Hamlet's impact in the play is Laertes. Laertes' hatred towards Hamlet arises in light of the murder of his father by Hamlet. Anyone would be enraged and show hatred toward a person who murdered their father, but because Hamlet was of such high rank, he was not treated as a criminal and this enraged Laertes even further. Laertes was demanding of the information surrounding his father's death and since Hamlet was of such high rank Laertes was not given sufficient information...