He is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and nephew and stepson to the current king, Claudius.

obtained the throne of Denmark by murdering his brother with poison and then marrying the late king's widow

connives with Claudius to spy on Hamlet

Danish military officers (2) and casual friends of Hamlet who first see the ghost

a counselor to Claudius and father to Ophelia and Laertes

Hamlet's uncle and, ever since he took the throne as the King of Denmark, Hamlet’s new stepfather.

His name is also Hamlet, and he is referred to as King Hamlet to distinguish him from the Prince, his son and the protagonist of the story

the only female character in the play other than Gertrude

potential wife of Prince Hamlet

driven by a desire to expand his kingdom, make a name for himself, and take revenge for the death of his father (who was killed by Hamlet's father), .... is actively pursuing his goals.

Hamlet's most loyal and trusted friend.

His father was killed by the old king

He tells Hamlet that his father was killed by Claudius