Preview

To What Extent, and How, Is Claudius Presented by Shakespeare as a Tragic Villain Without Any Redeeming Features?

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1677 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To What Extent, and How, Is Claudius Presented by Shakespeare as a Tragic Villain Without Any Redeeming Features?
‘Hamlet’ is a revenge tragedy and therefore has a traditional tragic hero and tragic villain. Hamlet follows the typical features of a tragic hero as he is a revenger with a tragic flaw leading to his death. However, it can be seen that Claudius is not a typical villain, as he does appear to have some redeeming features. Literary critic F.C. Hunt stated that ‘Claudius is painted by Shakespeare as bold, keen-sighted and resourceful’. Although all of these features are redeeming and there are many examples of these characteristics are presented throughout the play, this does not necessarily mean that Claudius is a wholly innocent character.

As the King, Shakespeare presents Claudius as an able ruler who is trying to prove his worthiness to his court. This is apparent in Act 1, Scene 2 in Claudius’ opening speech. Claudius can be seen as being sincere in this speech as he mentions the death of his brother: ‘bear our hearts in grief’ (page 15) and he also states that the country is ‘contracted in one brow of woe’ (page 15). His language could be interpreted as heartfelt in his opening speech as he feels genuine sorrow over his brother’s death. This is a redeeming feature as he appears to feel love towards his brother for mentioning him as he takes his place as King. The language Shakespeare uses in Claudius’ opening speech is dismissive about the threat that Denmark may face from Norway due to Fortinbras: ‘So much for him’ (page 17). This is because he wants to display his confidence as a leader and to calm the listeners. This contributes to Claudius’ redeeming features as he appears to be considerate towards the feelings of those within the court. He does not wish to worry them and therefore comes across as an able leader.

It may be interpreted that Claudius is inferior to his predecessor and is trying to provide the court with the reassurance that he can follow on from the previous King. Hamlet states that Claudius is ‘no more like my father/Than I to Hercules’


Bibliography: Heinemann Advanced Shakespeare – ‘Hamlet’ sparknotes.com sirbacon.org – F.C. Hunt interpretation
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet

    Claudius is ambitious man that craves power and unlike other characters of the play he gets and maintains his power in a very immoral way. Claudius, because of his obsession to get the power of his brother, poisons him and this ignites the start of the revenge going to take place by Hamlet, “the serpent that did sting thy father’s life…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    On Claudius Rhetorical Devices
    • 1856 Words
    • 8 Pages

    On Claudius Rhetorical Devices

    OPHELIA: “is she to be buried in a christian burial when she wilfully seeks her own salvation?”…

    • 1856 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Does Steinbeck Present Claudius's Fear Of Corruption
    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Does Steinbeck Present Claudius's Fear Of Corruption

    As he assumes his brother’s throne, Claudius displays a personality that is not one of a tyrant, but rather a compassionate and diligent man. In “Outrageous Fortune” by Olaf Loske, Loske praises Claudius’ solemn eulogy of the late King Hamlet in Act I, scene II, declaring that with this speech “emerges a King who is well qualified for his office” (Loske, 79) He inspires the idea…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Individual Analysis of Hamlet; Act 4, Scene 7
    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Individual Analysis of Hamlet; Act 4, Scene 7

    Although Claudius will often display act from a sense of the “ID” or “inner-child”, he also demonstrates, albeit relatively minimal compared to the previous example, a concern for consequence. In the beginning of the scene, he explains to Laertes his reasoning for not prosecuting Hamlet for the death of Polonius, Laertes’ father. Depicted in the lines; “Oh, for two special reasons, Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinewed, But yet to me they are strong. The queen his mother Lives almost by his looks, and for myself— My virtue or my plague, be it either which— She’s so conjunctive to my life and soul, That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not but by her. The other motive Why to a…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet: Act 2 Scene 2 - Compare Hamlet's Reaction to Arrival of Rosenc
    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet: Act 2 Scene 2 - Compare Hamlet's Reaction to Arrival of Rosenc

    the purpose of his old friends' visit and he is perceptive enough to see through…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Logs
    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet Logs

    This is a reaction to what occurred in Scene 2 when Claudius and Hamlet actually talk to each other. Claudius opens the scene with a long monologue to the court and in it I get the sense that he is trying to behave as an appropriate new kings who had just came to the throne. But, he only has the throne because he married his brother’s widow, Gertrude. He says all the right things under the circumstances, but it is all still a bit off-putting to me. For example, when he says thank you for “going with this affair along” almost acknowledging the inappropriate mature of the situation.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis
    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

    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
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    William Blake
    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages

    William Blake

    |Claudius|I feel antipathy |He lied to everyone about the death of king Hamlet to take over the throne. He is an assassin.|Claudius is the responsible of killing the old King of Denmark ,and he lied to everyone in the kingdom , so he could take over the throne and take the widow of king hamlet as his queen. He would do anything to keep his secret from being discovered, to the point, he tried to kill Hamlet.|…

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Present Claudius Entrance Speech
    • 74 Words
    • 1 Page

    How Does Shakespeare Present Claudius Entrance Speech

    Claudius' entrance speech in act 3 reveals two very significant aspects of his character: that he is aware of the growing threat Hamlet poses for him, and that he is absolutely in control and capable of action. He is a contrast to Hamlet, who becomes entirely incapacitated by the very idea of action. The more Claudius knows, the more he calculates and acts; the more Hamlet knows, the more he thinks and bandies words.…

    • 74 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Character Analysis
    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Hamlet Character Analysis

    In Hamlet, many think of Hamlet as being the main or only tragically flawed character within the play. However, in actuality, the play contains many other characters that possess varying severities of imperfection, some of which put the shortcomings of Hamlet, the title character of Hamlet, to shame. Despite the tragically flawed nature of Hamlet’s character, other characters in the play are clearly more flawed in comparison to Hamlet. As a result of this character’s imperfection, many of the characters within the play Hamlet are considered tragic; however, those in which this trait is predominant are Claudius, Laertes and Gertrude.…

    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Is Hamlet A Good Father
    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Is Hamlet A Good Father

    This is mainly because Claudius says, “Or thinking by our late dear brother’s death / Our state to be disjoint and out of frame” (I.ii. 19-21). He talks like he mourns the death of King Hamlet, and how something needs to be done with Denmark's current state. Although it is true that Claudius needs to help Danemark, the problem is that he is the one that killed King Hamlet. The Ghost of King Hamlet says, “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown” (I.v. 48-49). The new king, who is sad because King Hamlet died, was the one who killed…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Present Gertrude's Character In Hamlet
    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Shakespeare Present Gertrude's Character In Hamlet

    Shakespeare develops Hamlet’s character in relation to Claudius. First example is Hamlet puts on a play to see if Claudius would break down and confess that he killed King Hamlet. “That guilty creatures sitting at a play. Have by the very cunning of the scene, been struck so to the soul that presently. They have proclaimed their malefactions.” (Shakespeare, 2:2, lines 567-570). Hamlet invited players to come to the castle and perform a play for the king and queen. The play is going to reenact the night Claudius killed King Hamlet. Second example is Hamlet seeks revenge on Claudius. “Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell.” (Shakespeare, 2:2, line 562). When Hamlet saw the ghost of his dad in act 1, his dad said he needs to seek revenge on Claudius. Final example is Claudius…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet and Horatio
    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hamlet and Horatio

    Shakespeare’s Hamlet offers the audience a glimpse into a royal world of deception, madness, and personal greed. Aside from those most obviously deceivers such as Claudius and Polonius, nearly every character in the play can be viewed as having ulterior motives if the viewer asks the right questions. Does Hamlet truly wish to avenge his father or secure a place as king of Denmark? Is Gertrude a whimsical mother or a ‘Black Widow’ queen? Even the Ghost of Hamlet’s father may possibly be a demon sent to tempt Hamlet into vengeance and murder as we have discussed in class. However, one character remains consistently pure in nearly all of his actions throughout the play. Horatio, the best friend and confidant to Hamlet, is the reason that Hamlet may be regarded as the tragic hero. If it were not for Horatio, Hamlet would not have a voice to mourn his death or pass his wishes for the betterment of Denmark to the next throne. Had Hamlet heeded the multiple cautions from Horatio, he may have been able to avoid his tragic demise.…

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Act Different With Others
    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hamlet Act Different With Others

    This then shows that he said exactly the opposite of what he did to everyone else. When he was talking to everyone he said that they should have mourned King Hamlet’s death, but then he told Hamlet that he should not mourn his death. Clearly, this shows how Claudius appears one way to everyone, but then he is his actual way with Hamlet and by…

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    ‘Hamlet, the Romantic rebel’
    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages

    ‘Hamlet, the Romantic rebel’

    Claudius, king of Denmark, gives permission to Laertes to depart for Paris. His authority overwhelms that of his biological father, Polonius, because as head of state and following the tenets of Providentialism, he can interfere in private matters and exercise his power over Polonius’s family. Right after this, Claudius enquires Hamlet about his gloomy appearance and behaviour because, instead of being joyfully celebrating the marriage of his mother Gertrude and his uncle Claudius, he is mourning his father’s death yet. That Hamlet does not share the general mood is perceived by Claudius as a threat against his position. He calls Hamlet stubborn and urges him to forget about his father: “[...] to persever/ In obstinate condolement is a course/ of impius stubbornness [...]” (Shakespeare 2009:I, ii, 94-96). According to Providentialism, Hamlet should be respectful and obedient to Claudius because now he is his stepfather and king, but at the same time he should have been the successor to the throne, not Claudius. Hamlet finds himself in this difficult situation, but nevertheless, he is unwilling to adopt none of these positions since these are roles “to be played for others but not felt for himself”…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics