The Prince of Denmark is a young, highly educated scholar grieving the sudden loss of his father. He wears black to reflect his internal sorrow, sharply contrasting with the celebratory atmosphere of the new royal court. After encountering a supernatural entity claiming to be his father, he decides to pretend to be insane to investigate the truth of the apparition's claims. He struggles with severe melancholy and doubts the honesty of almost everyone around him.

The new King of Denmark is a smooth-talking politician who recently married his deceased brother's widow. He attempts to project an image of stability, managing court affairs with firm authority and diplomacy. He harbors terrible secrets regarding how he obtained the throne and grows increasingly suspicious of his nephew's erratic behavior.

The Queen of Denmark maintains her position of power by quickly marrying her brother-in-law after her husband's sudden passing. She shows genuine concern for her son's mental state, frequently attempting to soothe his visible distress. Her rapid remarriage serves as the primary source of her son's alienation from the royal court.

An apparition taking the exact form of the late King of Denmark, dressed in full battle armor. He claims to be suffering in the fires of Purgatory because he died without receiving final religious rites. He brings horrifying claims about a lethal poison and demands that his murder be avenged, setting the story into motion.

A young scholar and trusted confidant of the prince. He initially displays skepticism about the supernatural, preferring rational explanations until he sees the apparition with his own eyes. He serves as a reliable, grounded presence in the increasingly paranoid and deceptive environment of Elsinore.

A young, energetic Danish courtier returning to his life in France. He takes his family's social standing very seriously and acts as a traditional, somewhat overbearing older brother. Before leaving, he delivers extensive warnings to his sister about the dangers of associating with young royals.

A young noblewoman bound by the strict social expectations of the Danish court. She receives romantic attention from the prince but faces intense pressure from her father and brother to reject his advances to protect her honor. Caught between her personal feelings and her duty of obedience, she finds herself isolated as the men around her grow increasingly erratic.

The chief councilor to the king is a verbose, aging politician who believes himself to be exceedingly clever. He relies heavily on spying, eavesdropping, and elaborate plots to gather information about the people around him. He confidently attributes the prince's strange behavior to lovesickness over his daughter.

The young Prince of Norway whose father was killed in combat by the previous King of Denmark. He raises an army to reclaim his family's lost territories, posing an immediate external threat to the current Danish administration.

A childhood friend of the prince who is brought to court to uncover the cause of the prince's melancholy. He operates primarily out of a desire to please the monarch, compromising his old friendship by acting as an informant.

Another childhood acquaintance of the prince, summoned to Elsinore to monitor the prince's behavior. He struggles to maintain the facade of friendship while carrying out royal orders, frequently falling victim to the prince's verbal traps.

A servant in the royal household tasked with traveling to France. He is ordered to spread mild rumors about his employer's son in order to extract true information about the young man's behavior abroad.

A wealthy courtier who acts as a messenger for the king. He speaks in highly florid, overly complicated language that the prince openly mocks during their interactions.