Figures

Here is a list of figures, other than the play characters, that are mentioned in Hamlet, either explicitly or implicitly. Some are real historical persons, some are Biblical, others are figures of legend, myth, or fiction.

The figures are presented in the order in which they're mentioned in the Hamlet playtext, Scene by Scene. They're only briefly described here. The goal is to assist the reader in understanding the playtext, and to provide enough information to guide the reader in learning more, if desired, by doing a web search, or by using library facilities. Some figures are mentioned more than once in the play, but only the first mention is listed here.

The name of each figure is followed by a quote of the line where the figure is mentioned, or referenced implicitly. The spelling may, or may not, be modernized, depending on whether the original spelling appears to have significance.

Scene 1

Auriga/Erichthonius

Scene 1#01-042 When yond same star that's westward from the pole,
This is not certain beyond any question, but if the star is Capella, it is in the constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. Auriga is identified in Greek mythology with the legendary King Erichthonius of Athens. Concepts associated with Erichthonius match up well with some concepts in the play: madness, serpent, etc.

Julius Caesar

Scene 1#01-124 A little ere the mightiest Julius fell
Julius Caesar was a leader of ancient Rome, slain by Brutus and others on the Ides of March. In Hamlet, all the major events relate, in one way or another, to the death of the King. The well-known fact of Caesar dying on the Ides of March is part of what tells us Hamlet is set in the springtime.

Neptune

Scene 1#01-129 Upon whose influence Neptune's Empire stands
Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, and is usually equated to the ancient Greek god Poseidon. Poseidon is the brother of Zeus and Hades, which are equivalent to the Roman gods Jupiter and Pluto. Neptune/Poseidon is also the god of horses, relevant to the Horse Motif in Hamlet. Poseidon was on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War. The sea is most obviously relevant to events in Hamlet when Hamlet is sent away on a voyage to England, but unexpectedly returns.

Jesus Christ

Scene 1#01-170 Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated
I decline the opportunity to insult the reader's intelligence.

Scene 2

Cain and Abel (implicit allusion)
Scene 2#107 From the first course till he that died today;

"Course" puns with "corse," which is an obsolete spelling of "corpse." In the Bible, Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel were the first sons born to Adam and Eve. The first murder was committed when Cain slew Abel, because of envy. Thus, Claudius's phrase "first course/corse" is allusion to Abel, the first murder victim. The story of Cain and Abel is told in Genesis 4. Cain was the older brother, which is relevant to Claudius's characterization.

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