Readers do not tend to notice the importance of minor characters and how they help the main character through the story in multiple ways. In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, the actions and words of the minor characters, such as the Ghost, Horatio, and the gravedigger, play a crucial part to the development of the play's plot and themes. .
One of the important characters in the play is King Hamlet's Ghost. In Act I, the readers learn of a supernatural event that is happening in the castle. The Ghost of King Hamlet has been spotted by Horatio and other watchmen. Hamlet goes to investigate and follows the Ghost. The Ghost informs Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet's uncle. The Ghost tells Hamlet that he must avenge his death. This brings in the theme of revenge and the rising action of the play. From here, Hamlet arranges a play to confirm the idea that Claudius in fact did murder King Hamlet, and that the Ghost was no an evil spirit playing tricks on Hamlet. The Ghost of Hamlet played an active role of motivating the hero to take action and go through the journey as a tragic hero. .
Shakespeare also creates the character Horatio. Horatio is the only character considered to be Hamlet's closest friend, since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betrayed Hamlet. Horatio is proven to be a true friend at crucial moments of the play. For example, he offers to commit suicide when Hamlet is dying in his arms. Horatio is the only important character that survived the many murders that happened. As a result, he will play an important role of telling the story of those who have fallen and telling Fortinbras that he will be the King of Denmark. The character of Horatio had a crucial role when it came to being Hamlet's best friend and carrying the play's story into the future. .
Another important minor character that is overlooked is the gravedigger that was digging Ophelia's grave when Hamlet and Horatio returned.