The Role of Minor Characters in Shakespeares Hamlet :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

The Role of Minor Characters in Shakespeares Hamlet Minor characters play a truly crucial role in Shakespears Hamlet. They serve as narrators for events that occurred outside the immediate play the Danes skin senses. Distinct contrasts are created through the usage of the plays minor characters. The reader gains bare-ass perspective on Hamlets character when he is compared with Laertes. The presence of these minor characters can also have a direct effect on the action of the play. The actors in the play within the play are used to expose the guilt of Claudius Hamlet then has proof of the Kings crimes. The expertise use of these characters - either to exemplify rock-steady and purity, or to spread the vile corruption which permeates Elsinore - is one of the main reasons for Hamlets success as one of the greatest plays ever written. Some events in Hamlet mustiness be narrated to the reader, and to the major characters, through minor characters which have a direct link to the even ts. Shakespear builds the undefiled play around information which was narrated to Hamlet by his fathers ghost. The ghost tells Hamlet of events which the reader would otherwise never know about the murder of the former Dane by Claudius. When Horatio reads the letter that he has received from Hamlet the reader is conscious of how Hamlet has evaded Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Also, the events occurring in Norway reach the court by means of an emissary, Voltimand, sent to check on Fortinbras. These events have a strong and direct relevancy to the diagram and movement of the play. Shakespear uses contrast to highlight the qualities of the characters in Hamlet this contrast shows up in the minor characters. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, false friends of Hamlet who succumb to Claudius corruptness, serve as a distinct contrast to the loyal friendship that Horatio shares with Hamlet. Voltimand is used to contrast Polonius often comic verbosity. While Polonius dresses up all his speeches with the language of the court, Voltimand is able to give his entire report on Fortinbras in a matter of seconds. The most powerful foil in the play is between Laertes and Hamlet. Upon hearing of the death of his father, Laertes becomes enraged, and seeks immediate retribution he does not delay, and acts instantaneously. When the ghost tells Hamlet of Claudius crimes, Hamlet is unable to act. He procrastinates, missing many opportunities to avenge his father, and acts when it is already too late.