The Sword of Damocles · Character

Hamlet Hopgood

A character with a literary name, possibly a servant or minor figure.

minor

Also known as Hamlet, Hopgood

Hamlet Hopgood's tie to Mr. Sylvester is one of the pressures that moves The Sword of Damocles—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The father of the injured child, found in the tunnel, and revealed to be a dangerous man plotting against a rich man.

In the storyXV: An Adventure—Or Something MoreOpen this moment free

See Hamlet Hopgood in XV: An Adventure—Or Something More Book page

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With Mr. Sylvester (professional): Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. Sylvester's loyal assistant or agent, carrying out his orders without question. With Mr. Sylvester (professional): Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. Sylvester's loyal assistant or agent, carrying out his orders without question. With Mr. Sylvester (professional): Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. Sylvester's loyal assistant or agent, carrying out his orders without question.

Continue beside the text

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

See Hamlet Hopgood in XXII: Hopgood

Character Web

22 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central social circle
Extended family and background

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it crystallizes the psychological rupture between Jacqueline’s public perf…

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Relationships

Mr. Sylvester
professional · positive
Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Sylvester
professional · positive
Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Sylvester
professional · positive
Hamlet Hopgood is Mr. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Hamlet Hopgood in XXII: Hopgood

In the story

Hamlet Hopgood appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XV: An Adventure—Or Something More
The father of the injured child, found in the tunnel, and revealed to be a dangerous man plotting against a rich man.
A Day at the Bank
The bank's janitor, whose anxious and peculiar behavior throughout the day foreshadows a major crisis.
XXII: Hopgood
Janitor at the bank, secretive about his discovery, anxious about his position, reveals the unlocked box to Mr. Sylvester.
Miss Belinda Makes Conditions
Mentioned as one of the few with access to the vaults. Both Bertram and Mr. Sylvester agree that he is absolutely to be relied upon and is honesty itself.
XXXVII: The Opinion of a Certain Noted Detective
The janitor, questioned about the vaults; he reveals that Mr. Sylvester once opened a box by mistake, using a toothpick.
The Man Cummins
Reveals himself as the detective Cummins, having orchestrated the confession from Fanning to clear his own name. He explains his limited talent for disguise.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Hamlet Hopgood unlock in the free preview.

See Hamlet Hopgood in XXII: Hopgood

See Hamlet Hopgood in XV: An Adventure—Or Something More