
The minor characters give most of the information known to Hamlet and about the major characters. Some of the stories that the reader comes to know, about some people or events in the play, come inform of narrations from the minor characters. Minor characters too play the role of narrating stories. However, Hamlet cannot react upon receiving the news of Claudius’ crime cases. For instance, when Laertes’ father dies, Laertes reacts immediately out of anger. Laertes and Hamlet provide the most outstanding contrast through the way they react. On the contrary, Voltimand presents his within seconds. While presenting their report to Fortinbras, Norway’s young prince, Polonius employs too many words and too much time, as he does when handling court business. In addition, a contrast of characters comes out through Voltimand and Polonius. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern depict a fake friendship with Hamlet unlike Horatio, who is Hamlet’s real friend and one who remains on his toes throughout the play to help Hamlet. Contrast in friendship stands out through Hamlet’s friends.

The evident contrast between the characters, scenes, and ideas in Shakespeare’s account only comes out through the way he strategically employs his story’s minor characters. For instance, minor characters in this play help in presenting the issue of contrast between characters as well as ideas. These, among other roles, appear in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. These characters too improve the flavor of the story. Generally, minor characters contribute significantly as far as plot development is concerned. His narrative Hamlet is heavily laden with minor characters like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the ghost of Hamlet senior, Polonius, Fortinbras, Horatio, among others, whose role stands out well in the play.

However, some playwrights, for instance, William Shakespeare, successfully manifest how important minor characters can be in a play. Some people question whether these characters play any vital role in the success of a play or a film since their roles fail to stand out in most of the stories encountered. However, the author cannot present these messages fully and properly without the incorporation of the minor characters. The author uses them to address most of his/her crucial messages to the audience. Major characters usually have their names as well as their actions often stressed in the masterwork. In any chef-d’oeuvre, the playwright must make use of both major and minor characters.
