Preview

How Does Hamlet Manipulate Claudius

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
965 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Does Hamlet Manipulate Claudius
The people could be totally different, but the desire to achieve their aim, make them behave similarly. Claudius, king of Denmark, obtains his power by murdering his own brother and then marrying the king's widow, Claudius is worried because his nephew is acting suspicious, then he considers killing Hamlet to keep on the throne of Denmark. On the other hand, Hamlet prince of Denmark is devastated by his Father’s death. Hamlet sees the ghost of his father, who reveals that his uncle Claudius murdered him. Then Hamlet becomes thoughtful who makes strategies to uncover his uncle to seek revenge on him. The contrasts between Hamlet and Claudius behavior to accomplish their aim carry them to perpetuate similar actions. Both, Hamlet and …show more content…
On one hand, Claudius manipulates Polonius and Laertes to get over control Hamlet and then kill him. Claudius manipulates Polonius as his right hand, who suggest “I’ll hide behind the wall tapestry So I can hear what they say.” (P.55) Polonius keeps Claudius informed about Hamlet’s movements because Claudius wants to know why Hamlet is acting so weird all of the sudden. But also, Claudius used his skillful words to manipulate Laertes to kill Hamlet the murder of his father Polonius. Claudius says, “I loved your father…Hamlet must pay for what has done. I am working on a plan.” (P.76) Claudius insinuates Laertes an offer to get revenge on Hamlet by killing him, and defend his father’s honor. On the other hand, Hamlet is honorable because he desires justice, and the people appreciate him. When Hamlet says to his Father’s spirit “Remember you! Yes from my memory I’ll wipe away all foolish records.” (P.18) Hamlet avenging his father’s death is acting in an honorable way to defend his father’s honor. As well, Hamlet’s honor is representative for the people in the kingdom that entail Claudius’ prevention. “The common people love him so much that they see his faults as virtues.” (P.75) Said Claudius, The honor of Hamlet is one of the reasons that his uncle cannot attack him directly because that could produce struggles against him in his

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Now wears his crown” (1.5.46-47). Claudius’s brother was a great warrior that probably ruled with ideas of justice and moral balance but Claudius is a corrupt politician, he rules with manipulation and does not even feel guilt for catalyzing the fall from grace of so many characters. He schemes and manipulates other characters to get what he desires. When Claudius was certain that Hamlet knew of his lie about his brothers death he planned a match between Laertes and Hamlet in which Hamlet was not suppose to come out as the victor. Claudius will stop at nothing to maintain his power if he has he heart to murder his own brother, he will have the heart to murder anyone that blocks him from his goal. It is his own scheming that leads to his death, if power is gained by lies and manipulation more lies and manipulation must take place to maintain it and that life can only be held a secret for so long. The constant deaths, spying and confusion led many to become mad. His lack of guilt can be seen when he openly shows his affection for his wife in front of Hamlet and does it in a very obnoxious way. This affection for his wife is questionable because of his need for power. It is not certain whether or not Claudius actually has sincere feelings towards Gertrude or whether she is just another character playing a part in his lie, something that just came along with what he truly wanted, the crown. However even though his motives for marrying the queen are questionable, if he does not truly love Gertrude he covers it up well, showing once again his good use of manipulation. He openly shows affection and even declares his love in words, “The…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    American author, John Steinbeck once said “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” The theme of corruption is demonstrated in Hamlet by a series of events that lead to devastating decay. The “beginning of the end” is caused by Claudius, the present king of Denmark, Gertrude’s new spouse, and Hamlet’s uncle. Claudius is an intelligent antagonist whose Machiavellian plan of fratricide and his thirst for power drives Shakespeare’s tragedy. His powerful ability to manipulate brings Hamlet to insanity, but also brings short-term peace to the kingdom of Denmark. Critics argue that this trait would not leads to Claudius’ demise if it were not for Hamlet. However, Claudius’ own fear of his corruption being exposed destroys his facade of a capable king and ultimately leads his downfall.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Like most great writers, Shakespeare acquired his inspiration from the world that transpired around him. Cultural politics and social norms of the Elizabethan and Jacobean era are revealing too many readers through Shakespearean literature. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare displayed precise concepts of the time period he was living in. The most evident concept shown in the play is the struggle for power between ruthless monarchs. This is most prominently noticed in the play when Claudius murders King Hamlet “I am still possess’d, Of those effects for which I did the murder My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen” (Hamlet 3.3 57-60). Claudius assassinates his King Brother out of an ambitious greed for the power of Denmark’s kingship. The…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Deception in Hamlet

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Claudius is deceiving everybody in his life. He deceives all the people around him regarding his brother's death: " Oh 'tis true too true! How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! The harlots's cheek, beautified with plastering art. Is not more ugly to the thing that helps its than is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden!" (3.1 50-55) Claudius is feeling guilty that he killed King Hamlet which was his brother. He used deception for his own personal gain because now Claudius is king as a result of King Hamlet being killed. Secondly, Claudius tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to decide Hamlet by going and spending time with him, but they were actually sent by Claudius to spy on Hamlet. " To visit you my lord, my lord, no other occasion." (2.2) Again Claudius is using deception for his own personal gain and he is also trying to gather evidence on Hamlet by sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to watch Hamlet very closely. Also Claudius deceived Rosecrantz and Guildenstern by telling them Hamlet is being shipped to England beacasue he has gone mad and he has to calm down, but really he is sending him to be killed: " Our soverign process, whic imports at full, by letters congruing to that effect, the present death of Hamlet, Do it, England." (4.3 64-66) Claudius is lying to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern becasause he wants Hamlet to be killed and that is one of his goals. Claudius uses deception to allow Hamlet to be killed which is a personal gain…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Strong Emotions in Hamlet

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hamlet’s hatred toward Claudius generates his aversion of filial duties. Upon his return to Denmark Hamlet learns that his father has been poisoned and has died. His father’s ghost comes to him and demands revenge on Claudius, the true murderer. With his father’s death in his mind, he now plans for revenge. Hamlet finds Claudius kneeling on the floor praying for forgiveness and his plan for revenge comes to mind. The only mentality Hamlet has is that “A villain kills my father, and/ I, his sole son, to this same villain send/ To heaven” there is only vile emotions towards Claudius (3.3.81-83). The only plan is for Claudius’s…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    " . . . the young Norwegian Prince, who, like Hamlet, has lost a father and who, unlike Hamlet, has promptly taken positive action to avenge his father's death. But Fortinbras . . . has mastered passion; he will obey his royal uncle, rejecting the idea of revenge, and will expend his energy in an attack upon Poland. Fortinbras . . . is emerging as a foil to Hamlet" (Lowers 38).…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet was brought up as a prince, a noble born, embedded with sweetness. Showered with love and provided with whatever necessary for a prince… He was out studying and not being involved in politics of Denmark or even being involved with the series of war King Hamlet has being fighting. He embodies a full course of human emotion, ranging from grief, love, anger, rage, and passion to fear and insanity. Ultimately, Hamlet has no interest in becoming the king rather his concern is to avenge his father’s death which he could not fulfill because his character does not show someone who is capable of murder, apart from this, there were various factors that contributed to Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge against Claudius.…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prince Hamlet, having returned home from school in Germany arrives to an upsetting scene to say the least. His father, King Hamlet is dead and his mother Gertrude has already remarried. Not just to any man either, the king’s brother Claudius who has already taken possession of the throne. As the gravity of the situation continues to sink in for Prince Hamlet he begins to suspect correctly that his uncle Claudius was responsible for his father’s death.…

    • 577 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Throughout the course of the play, Claudius is manipulating the royal court and Hamlet. Immediately following his murder of the late king of Denmark, he cons the royal court into believing that the passing of the late king caused him much grief. However, Claudius exhibits no contrition for murdering the king because of “fruits” he had gained from it: “[his] crown, [his] own ambition, and [his queen]” (III.iii.59). He has no intention of handing over the “fruits” of his crime, that he is well past any chance of redemption. Claudius is unwilling to surrender everything he has gained from his crime because it was those ambitions that drove him to commit the murder in the first place. Claudius maintains his power by acting in favor of the people’s anticipations. Even after he had already wed Gertrude, Claudius confessed his sorrow for the late king and how he was overcoming his sorrowed heart to the royal court to be strong for the kingdom (I.ii.10-12). Claudius hastily shifts from the sadness over the late king and merriment of marriage to his future proposals and allegiance to Denmark (I.ii.17-38). In addition, Claudius also requests permission from Laertes father, Polonius, to authorize Laertes to go to France, as opposed to authorizing Laertes himself (I.ii.59-65). This generates favor from the people…

    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    King Claudius uses his power to get to the throne and remain king under any circumstance.…

    • 101 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    One single moment or event during the course of an individual’s life can effectively alter their priorities and transform their identity drastically. In The play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare introduces the readers to the protagonist Hamlet who is draped in anger and emotions and has a new-found mission in life. Initially, Hamlet is portrayed as an individual in mourning over his father's death and his mother's haste in remarrying to her brother-in-law and Hamlet's uncle, Claudius. However, Hamlet’s character and personality were drastically altered after meeting the Ghost and discovering the true nature of his Father’s death. Hamlet is now a man with a lust for revenge and a willingness to do anything that will enable him to accomplish this goal. When burdened with the task of killing Claudius, Hamlet chooses to sacrifice all he holds dear by transforming his identity in a noble effort to avenge his father’s death.…

    • 1723 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet, You Crazy

    • 1864 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The dead king has told Hamlet that Claudius killed him while he was asleep in the garden. Hamlet’s confusion and feeling of honor leads him to swear in behalf of his dead father to revenge on the present king. Shakespeare starts the play by bombarding Hamlet’s thinking process and leaving him with tons of weights on his shoulders. The whole aspect of the play revolves around character’s vows to fulfill their honor. The idea of honor in this play is portrayed far more advanced than any other Shakespearean play. Reta. A Terry is an author of “Vows to the Blackest Devil”: Hamlet and the Evolving code of honor in early modern England. She agrees that honor is substantial and goes another level with this idea. She diagrams in which Shakespeare used characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Horatio to demonstrate the England’s notion of honor switching to the chivalric code of the medieval period’s idea of honor. She concludes that the shift of honor or the evolution of honor was visible in Hamlet.…

    • 1864 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Honor In Hamlet Essay

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages

    By definition, honor is the “quality of knowing and doing what is morally right” (Merriam-Webster). In Hamlet, three sons of three murdered fathers - Hamlet, Fortinbras, Laertes and Hamlet - are subject to the obligation of honoring their fathers’ deaths. Despite all three of these characters having to seek revenge for the deaths of their fathers through the murder of another person, the kinds of honor that these three sons are fulfilling are unique. Hamlet is avenging the murder of his father by his uncle, Laertes is avenging the muder of his father by Hamlet, and Fortinbras is avenging the death of his father, by Hamlet’s…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. In the play “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare in Act III scene i, Claudius admits that he is suffering from his guilty conscious. “How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plastering art, Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it Than is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden!” (III, i, (50-55). This confession doesn’t change my opinion of Claudius because he killed his own brother on purpose and took everything away from him and Hamlet by Claudius killing his father. Claudia killed his brother out of jealousy his brother did nothing to him; jealousy isn’t a reason to kill someone. Claudius was jealous because his brother had everything he wanted; a wife, to be king, money and more. Even though Claudius shows guilt he did what he did and can’t change anything now.…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    People’s words and actions do not reveal their true intentions. In Hamlet, several characters were acting activities and saying certin words , but inside of them they meant the opposite such as Claudius, Polonius, and Ophelia. In the beginning of the play, the audience was tricked into Claudius being the caring uncle that was giving Hamlet a long speech on how he should move on with his life “Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father But, you must know, your father lost a father; That father lost”(1.3.87-90). Claudius was trying to tell Hamlet that everyone will die at some point, but life will continue and Hamlet cannot do anything about it. Later on when Laertes father Polonius was murdered, Claudius seems to have a very different…

    • 497 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics