Hamlet Who Is King Claudius
Who is King Claudius?
In the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare there are multiple supporting characters around Hamlet, one of them is his uncle. Claudius is King Hamlet’s younger brother who rises to power after the King mysteriously dies. His role within the play is crucial as he plays the part of the antagonist. This character is going to help fuel Hamlet’s drive for justice and revenge, making his effect on Hamlet with the use of his personality very important. Even though Claudius as a character is not explored as deeply as Hamlet, he is not without human qualities which make him a whole. Introduced and developed as an egocentric, manipulative, treacherous murderer.
One of the most key characteristics which defines Claudius …show more content…
As an intelligent and well spoken man he becomes a very manipulative and dangerous politician. With the use of his elaborate and carefully structured language it can be said that his speech is ‘like poison being poured into the ear’. Nevertheless, during the beginning of the play it is with this very characteristic that he seems like a capable and competent monarch, who diplomatically deals with military threats, personal requests and Hamlet’s depression. It is only after the ghostly plot twist that the audience is able to see the malevolent ways in which he is able to use language. As he talks to Hamlet at various points during the play it can be seen how his speech is coordinated, with flow, and almost as if planned unlike Gertrude’s. This is how he tries convince Hamlet that “tis unmanly grief; It shows a will most incorrect to heaven” (1.2.94/95). His manipulation can also be seen with Gertrude who seems to be under the complete control of the King, not only following him but protecting him under almost any circumstance. It is this very craftiness that will also cause his downfall, proving too much for his own good and in the end killing Gertrude. At the event of her death he half-heartily tries to save her, showing his self centred attitude in which he …show more content…
While they concern over justice, revenge and moral balance the new King is only interested in his power struggle. Being seen as “that incestuous, that adulterate beast” (1.5.42) the true image of the King is seen through the eyes of he who was killed under his treason. He is almost helps in the death of Rozencrantz and Guildenstern by denying them information within the letters and also does almost nothing so to not get involved in Gertrude’s death. It is because of this that he can not be considered a “beast” but a morally weak person who is unable to restrain from human desires and is capable of exchanging his humanity in order to obtained the prized possessions he
In the play “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare there are multiple supporting characters around Hamlet, one of them is his uncle. Claudius is King Hamlet’s younger brother who rises to power after the King mysteriously dies. His role within the play is crucial as he plays the part of the antagonist. This character is going to help fuel Hamlet’s drive for justice and revenge, making his effect on Hamlet with the use of his personality very important. Even though Claudius as a character is not explored as deeply as Hamlet, he is not without human qualities which make him a whole. Introduced and developed as an egocentric, manipulative, treacherous murderer.
One of the most key characteristics which defines Claudius …show more content…
As an intelligent and well spoken man he becomes a very manipulative and dangerous politician. With the use of his elaborate and carefully structured language it can be said that his speech is ‘like poison being poured into the ear’. Nevertheless, during the beginning of the play it is with this very characteristic that he seems like a capable and competent monarch, who diplomatically deals with military threats, personal requests and Hamlet’s depression. It is only after the ghostly plot twist that the audience is able to see the malevolent ways in which he is able to use language. As he talks to Hamlet at various points during the play it can be seen how his speech is coordinated, with flow, and almost as if planned unlike Gertrude’s. This is how he tries convince Hamlet that “tis unmanly grief; It shows a will most incorrect to heaven” (1.2.94/95). His manipulation can also be seen with Gertrude who seems to be under the complete control of the King, not only following him but protecting him under almost any circumstance. It is this very craftiness that will also cause his downfall, proving too much for his own good and in the end killing Gertrude. At the event of her death he half-heartily tries to save her, showing his self centred attitude in which he …show more content…
While they concern over justice, revenge and moral balance the new King is only interested in his power struggle. Being seen as “that incestuous, that adulterate beast” (1.5.42) the true image of the King is seen through the eyes of he who was killed under his treason. He is almost helps in the death of Rozencrantz and Guildenstern by denying them information within the letters and also does almost nothing so to not get involved in Gertrude’s death. It is because of this that he can not be considered a “beast” but a morally weak person who is unable to restrain from human desires and is capable of exchanging his humanity in order to obtained the prized possessions he