Hamlet · Character

First Clown

Gravedigger who provides comic relief and digs Ophelia's grave.

minor

Also known as Clown, First Clown Faith, First Clown Ay, First Clown Sings, Clown Ay, Clown Sings

First appearance: Scene I

First Clown's tie to Hamlet is one of the pressures that moves Hamlet—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The gravedigger who unearths Yorick's skull and engages in witty banter with Hamlet.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See First Clown in Scene I Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Hamlet (social): The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with Hamlet while digging Ophelia's grave. With Hamlet (social): The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with Hamlet while digging Ophelia's grave. With Hamlet (social): The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with Hamlet while digging Ophelia's grave.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of First Clown sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See First Clown in Scene I

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how First Clown sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Major characters and confidants
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and moral peak of King Claudius’s interna…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Hamlet
social · ambivalent
The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with… How this plays out →
Hamlet
social · ambivalent
The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with… How this plays out →
Hamlet
social · ambivalent
The First Clown (gravedigger) engages in a darkly humorous philosophical exchange with… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See First Clown in Scene I

In the story

First Clown appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for First Clown unlock in the free preview.

See First Clown in Scene I