1. Minor Characters What is the function of the character?
Find quotes that exemplify their reason for being in the play.
Laertes
Polonius
Horatio
Rozencrantz and Guildenstern

2. Laertes
Revenge hero in second revenge tragedy. Acts without delay, providing contrast to Hamlet.
Drives the denouement of the play.
Plots with Claudius.

3. Polonius Acts as a go-between, tell-tale, spy.
Obsession and reverence for rank.
Comic function – circumlocutory nature, and Hamlet’s fun at his expense.
Prime plot-based cannon fodder.

4. Horatio On Hamlet’s side when nobody else is.
Provides an ear and supportive (more rational?) point of view.
Survives – decay in Danish court has not corrupted him.

5. Rozencrantz and Guildenstern
Surveillance
Betrayal of Hamlet
Sycophantic
Rely on one another – suggests weakness of individual characters/ cowardice?

6. Choose a play in which minor characters have an important impact on the action of the play. Explain how this is important for your understanding of the play as a whole.