1) Who's who

Hamlet: The son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. He was away at school when his father died. By the time he returned home, his mother had married his uncle Claudius and was not grieving their loss at all. Hamlet is discusted by this and acts melancholy and bitter towards them. He loves Ophelia, his best friend is Horatio. Hamlet talks the a ghost that looks like his dead father, he finds out that his uncle killed his father and vows to avenge his death. 

 Claudius: King Hamlets brother and Prince Hamlets uncle. He kills the king and marries his sister-in-law to gain power. he is not mourning the death of the king and tells hamlet to get over it. He does not understand Hamlet and is manipulative. His advisor is Polonius. 

 Gertrude: Not of the royal line. Mother of Prince Hamlet. Married King Hamlet, shows no greif at his death, shortly afterwards, she marries her brother-in-law, the new king. 

Polonius: Claudius' advisor. Not of the royal line. Father of Ophelia and Laertes. 

Ophelia: Daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes. In love with Hamlet. Her actions are controled by her brother and father, who want the maintain their social status, if she sleeps with Hamlet, she will be unfit for anyone to marry. 

 Laertes: Son of Polonius, brother of Ophelia. Controling of his sister. Spends a lot of time in France. Impulsive. 

 Horatio: Hamlet's best friend, comes from their school for the Kings funeral. Tells Hamlet about seeing the ghost of the king. 

 Ghost: Looks like the king. Tells Hamlet that he was killed by his brother. Commands Hamlet to seek revenge.

Personal Reflection: I thought that King Claudius and Gertrude were conspiring to kill King Hamlet. It seemed like the way they weren't sad and acted like newly weds made me think they had an affair before Henry died. I also think the ghost isn't really the dead king, just because we keep talking about that in class. I guess that Hamlet will try and get back at Claudius for killing his father and because it was the devil and not the ghost, he will be cursed. I think Ophelia will be the reason Hamlet doesn't want to kill himself.