Why Is Claudius Important In Hamlet

(PARAGRAPH 2) Prince Hamlet’s character portrays as someone who wants revenge for his father’s death but fears what may happen after he receives his vengeance. He is known for having a quick temper, but also a loving heart in turn which meant he isn’t one to be naturally revengeful. In the beginning of the play Horatio notifies Hamlet of Marcellus and Bernardo’s sighting claiming that they have encountered “a figure like his father” the last past two nights that did not speak to them when they addressed it (1.2.199). Hamlet set out the next night to await the appearance of the ghost to see if it is “spirit of health or goblin damn’d (1.4.40). Hamlet is weary on whether his father’s ghost “intents are wicked or charitable” (1.4.42). The ghost
Hamlet is quick “to put an antic disposition on” instead of seeking revenge immediately like sought out by the ghost (1.5.180). He is notorious for gathering evidence that proves that Claudius is, in fact, responsible for his father’s death beyond a reasonable doubt as he is unsure of the ghost’s identity. Claudius tries to exert the fatherly role over Hamlet as though he is his own son. However, Hamlet considers it to be “a little more kin, and less than kind” (1.2.65). Though Gertrude did try to convince Hamlet into seeing it from her perspective as “all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity” which meant that he should move on as he has been grieving about his father’s death for already too long ( 1.2.72-73). How Gertrude longed for Hamlet to move on so quickly from his father’s death and how “she married-O most wicked speed “less than two months after the death of old Hamlet played a key role in his resentment towards women (1.2.156). Hamlet wears “customary suits of solemn black” to symbolize his grieving of his father’s death (1.2.78). Following the death of his father, Hamlet suffers from depression and is described to be mad by those
His resolution is to take quick and personal revenge for the loss of his father, unlike Hamlet. He acts as though he is a mirror to Hamlet always doing the opposite thing that Hamlet would. Although he is unaware of who was responsible for his father’s death, he rushes to Elsinore with his sword drawn with the intent of killing Claudius who he presumes is responsible for the death of his father. Laertes tries to appear as though he is a very courageous character who only seeks out the best for everyone when really is found to be very dishonourable and hot headed. After Laertes threatens Claudius is when he begins to question Claudius’ loyalty towards his father and proceeds to ask “why you proceeded not against these feats so crimeful and so capital in nature, as by your safety, wisdom, all things else you mainly stirr’d up” (4.7.6-9). Though the loyalty that Laertes has towards his father is to be also questioned as he is quick to seek revenge instead of grieving the death of his father. But Claudius is eventually able to convince him that he is not the one who is responsible for his father’s death by saying “he which hath your noble father slain pursu’d my life” and that “ the queen is his mother” (4.7.4-5, 4.7.11). Suggesting that Hamlet is the one who is responsible for Laertes father’s death and is also the person who is trying to have Claudius assassinated. By