Claudius
Status: Antagonist of the play. Brother of the one whom he murdered Old King Hamlet, current King to the throne and married to Queen Gertrude. Highest social hierarchical and authoritarian status.
Main Purpose: To keep his seat at the throne.
Analysis:
- Claudius is evil and selfish. This is one the more self-evident characteristics of Claudius but is nonetheless an important one. Claudius murders his own blood and seems to experience little to no reproach, regret, or even guilt at what he has done. Although he seems to be “praying” in one of the acts, his words find no refuge, as despite the infinitesimal amount of guilt he experiences, this guilt does not extend as much as for him to properly confess and forfeit his kingship (and suffer the consequences). Moreover, he does not hesitate nor is in the slightest way perturbed to send Hamlet off to England where he would be executed. Likewise, the facade he so easily uses to disguise himself as a friendly, complaisant, and just king show that he has little conscience or shame to what he has done.
- Claudius is extremely ambitious and self-centered. Another perhaps more obvious point, however Claudius is indeed exceedingly ambitious to go so far as to kill his own brother to attain more power. This demonstrates that Claudius is willing to do much and if necessary, give up anything in order to attain his position and correspondingly, keep his well being. This is best seen when Gertrude takes the poisoned Goblet and is about to drink yet is interrupted by Claudius when he tells her “do not drink”. However, he does not go so far as to tell her the truth of the goblet so that she would most definitely not drink. No, in fact, Claudius lets her drink from the cup so long as there may still be a chance for Hamlet to drink from it as well. This abhorrent act, cannot better exemplify to the worst degree, the abominable ambition of Claudius.
- Claudius is manipulative, persuasive, yet quite capable as a politician. Claudius is skilled in the art of manipulation and persuasion and these are probably his most advantageous and strong characteristics (alongside his ambition). Examples of his persuasive/manipulative skills in action include his manipulation or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to follow their friend Hamlet, his sly coercion and flattery of Laertes to have him kill Hamlet like his pawn, and even deceiving Hamlet to go to England where he would be executed. Claudius’ speech is compared to that of “poison in the ear”. However, it is these very same characteristics that act as attributes towards his career as a politician. Examples of his expert use in language and deception include his appeasement with the Old King of Norway (not to attack eachother), his pacification of Laertes and his mob, and how he manages to convince the nobles to accept his bizarrely-timed if not sinful marriage to Gertrude.
Symbolic representation: Cain and the serpent (Satan) from Genesis. Claudius is very much an allusion to Cain - the jealous brother known for committing the first murder by killing his righteous brother, Abel in the book of Genesis. The Ghost compares Claudius and his marriage with Gertrude as the serpent who seduced Eve.
Main Purpose: To keep his seat at the throne.
Analysis:
- Claudius is evil and selfish. This is one the more self-evident characteristics of Claudius but is nonetheless an important one. Claudius murders his own blood and seems to experience little to no reproach, regret, or even guilt at what he has done. Although he seems to be “praying” in one of the acts, his words find no refuge, as despite the infinitesimal amount of guilt he experiences, this guilt does not extend as much as for him to properly confess and forfeit his kingship (and suffer the consequences). Moreover, he does not hesitate nor is in the slightest way perturbed to send Hamlet off to England where he would be executed. Likewise, the facade he so easily uses to disguise himself as a friendly, complaisant, and just king show that he has little conscience or shame to what he has done.
- Claudius is extremely ambitious and self-centered. Another perhaps more obvious point, however Claudius is indeed exceedingly ambitious to go so far as to kill his own brother to attain more power. This demonstrates that Claudius is willing to do much and if necessary, give up anything in order to attain his position and correspondingly, keep his well being. This is best seen when Gertrude takes the poisoned Goblet and is about to drink yet is interrupted by Claudius when he tells her “do not drink”. However, he does not go so far as to tell her the truth of the goblet so that she would most definitely not drink. No, in fact, Claudius lets her drink from the cup so long as there may still be a chance for Hamlet to drink from it as well. This abhorrent act, cannot better exemplify to the worst degree, the abominable ambition of Claudius.
- Claudius is manipulative, persuasive, yet quite capable as a politician. Claudius is skilled in the art of manipulation and persuasion and these are probably his most advantageous and strong characteristics (alongside his ambition). Examples of his persuasive/manipulative skills in action include his manipulation or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to follow their friend Hamlet, his sly coercion and flattery of Laertes to have him kill Hamlet like his pawn, and even deceiving Hamlet to go to England where he would be executed. Claudius’ speech is compared to that of “poison in the ear”. However, it is these very same characteristics that act as attributes towards his career as a politician. Examples of his expert use in language and deception include his appeasement with the Old King of Norway (not to attack eachother), his pacification of Laertes and his mob, and how he manages to convince the nobles to accept his bizarrely-timed if not sinful marriage to Gertrude.
Symbolic representation: Cain and the serpent (Satan) from Genesis. Claudius is very much an allusion to Cain - the jealous brother known for committing the first murder by killing his righteous brother, Abel in the book of Genesis. The Ghost compares Claudius and his marriage with Gertrude as the serpent who seduced Eve.