Claudius
Extended Character Analysis
Claudius is the newly crowned King of Denmark whose ascent to the throne follows the death of his brother, King Hamlet. He enters into an “o’erhasty” marriage with his former sister-in-law, Queen Gertrude, making him Hamlet’s stepfather. Claudius is the antagonist of the play, guilty of murdering King Hamlet. Prince Hamlet characterizes Claudius as a drunken, lecherous, and villainous man, calling him the “bloat king” and emphasizing his inferiority to King Hamlet. However, Claudius is shown to be a capable ruler, beloved husband, and at least somewhat remorseful character, casting doubt on whether Hamlet’s judgements are entirely accurate.
Act I, scene II opens with Claudius addressing the Danish court. He is portrayed as a capable and confident monarch who has graciously stepped forward after the tragic death of his brother. Hamlet is the only character who seems to harbor any genuine distaste for Claudius, and even that reaction seems to stem more from his disgust with Gertrude and Claudius’s marriage than anything else. Claudius even expresses concern over Hamlet’s continued melancholy, urging him to cheer up. This is potentially a self-serving concern, as Hamlet’s gloom casts a shadow over what should be a joyous time for Claudius. However, Claudius, at least superficially, does all that he can to treat Hamlet as a dignified son, even naming him as the heir apparent to the throne. Further complicating Claudius’s character is his decision to allow Prince Hamlet to live in the first place. It is not until Prince Hamlet makes it clear that he is aware of Claudius’s role in King Hamlet’s death that Claudius turns his thoughts to assassination.
However, Claudius also establishes himself as an underhanded politician and unrepentant murderer. Though he does not immediately try to have Hamlet killed, he does resort to using Hamlet’s friends to spy on him. After the play within the play in act III, scene II reveals Claudius’s guilt, he goes to the chapel and attempts to pray. However, he is unable to seek salvation because, despite his guilt, he does not truly regret his actions. In Claudius’s mind, the ends have justified the means. His crown, his ambition, and his queen please him more than his sins disgust him.
The origins of the relationship between Gertrude and Claudius remain unclear, but for much of the play the pair seem to be a genuinely happy couple. However, their relationship is considered incestuous by Elizabethan standards, since no distinction was made between relations by marriage and those by blood. The marriage is a source of disgust for Hamlet and guilt for Gertrude, but Gertrude still jumps to Claudius’s defense, expressing genuine affection. However, a different interpretation positions Gertrude as another means to an end for Claudius, with her role as the “imperial jointress” being the true cause of Claudius’s attraction to her. By this reading, Gertrude is a hapless victim of Claudius’s charms and Claudius is a ruthless politician who uses her for his own ends.
Whether Claudius is truly the villainous figure Hamlet makes him out to be is left ambiguous, but his status as a murderer is not. It is his “foul and unnatural” murder of King Hamlet that irrevocably establishes him as a villain. There is ultimately no grand justification behind Claudius’s actions aside from ambition and earthly gain. In a society where kings were considered to have a divine right to rule, Claudius went against the natural order of the world. His unatoned murder of the king makes him morally inferior to Prince Hamlet, who has been divinely sanctioned by the ghost of his father to restore proper hierarchical order and justice to Denmark.
Expert Q&A
What is the three-part plan of Claudius and Laertes to kill Hamlet?
Claudius and Laertes's plan to kill Hamlet is to arrange a duel between Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet could either be wounded by the (secretly) sharpened sword of Laertes, poisoned by the venom with which Laertes will anoint the tip, or killed by more poison which Claudius will place in his chalice when he calls for a drink.
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, what two explanations does Claudius give Laertes for not punishing Hamlet's crimes?
In Hamlet, Claudius gives Laertes two reasons for not punishing Hamlet for killing Polonius. First, Claudius claims that he loves Queen Gertrude too much to harm her beloved son, Hamlet. Second, he explains that Hamlet is popular with the Danish people, who admire him and would overlook his faults, making it politically risky for Claudius to act against him publicly.
What are five adjectives that describe King Claudius in Hamlet?
King Claudius in Hamlet can be described using the following five adjectives: murderous, deceptive, dishonorable, ambitious, and manipulative. He resorts to murder to solve problems and is deceitful, especially towards Gertrude. Claudius is dishonorable, choosing undignified ways to eliminate his enemies. His ruthless ambition leads him to the throne, and he manipulates others to maintain his position. Despite these traits, he occasionally shows signs of conflict within himself due to his conscience.
How is the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet destructive?
The relationship between Claudius and Gertrude in Hamlet is destructive because it is based on convenience and mutual gain rather than love. Claudius uses Gertrude to legitimize his claim to the throne, while Gertrude marries him to remain queen. This hasty and self-serving union leads to Hamlet's deep mistrust and depression, furthering family discord and contributing to the tragic events that unfold.
Why does Claudius in Hamlet not want Hamlet to return to Wittenberg?
Claudius discourages Hamlet from returning to Wittenberg to keep him close, both to appease Queen Gertrude and as a precaution against potential rebellion. Claudius uses manipulation and flattery to maintain control over Hamlet, fearing that if Hamlet goes to Wittenberg, he might gather allies against Claudius. This strategy aligns with the idea of "keeping your enemies closer." Ultimately, Claudius prioritizes his own power over familial bonds.
What advice does Claudius give Hamlet about his father's death?
Claudius advises Hamlet to cease mourning his father, emphasizing that death is a natural part of life and urging him to "cast thy nighted color off." He suggests that Hamlet should view Claudius as a father figure, which is insensitive given the recentness of the king's death and his marriage to Hamlet's mother. Claudius's advice is self-serving, aimed at preventing suspicion about his role in the former king's death.
In Hamlet, what does Claudius's soliloquy "O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven" reveal about his character?
Claudius's soliloquy "O, my offence is rank" in Hamlet reveals his self-awareness and lack of repentance for his sins. He acknowledges his heinous act of fratricide, admitting its severity in God's eyes. Claudius enjoys his kingship, obtained through immoral means, and understands he cannot have both the crown and God's forgiveness. The soliloquy underscores the play's themes of earthly corruption and higher justice, showing Claudius trapped between worldly gains and spiritual purity.
In Hamlet, are Claudius and Gertrude responsible for the corruption Hamlet experiences?
In Hamlet, one could certainly make the argument that Claudius and Gertrude are primarily to blame for Denmark's corrupt kingdom. Claudius's assassination and incestuous marriage establish their corrupt kingdom. As King of Denmark, Claudius formulates several schemes to murder Prince Hamlet in order to protect his title. Gertrude also contributes to the kingdom's depravity by supporting her husband's evil plans, remaining unsympathetic to Prince Hamlet's situation, and spying on her son.
The reasons Claudius became king instead of Prince Hamlet after King Hamlet's death
Claudius became king instead of Prince Hamlet after King Hamlet's death due to the Danish elective monarchy system, where the throne was not automatically inherited. Claudius likely secured the support of influential nobles and courtiers, positioning himself as a strong candidate. Additionally, Hamlet's youth and absence from court may have diminished his immediate claim to the throne.
Quotes from Claudius in Hamlet that illustrate his manipulative, cunning nature, and thirst for power
Claudius's manipulative and cunning nature, along with his thirst for power, is illustrated in several quotes from Hamlet. Notably, in Act 1, Scene 2, he says, "Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death / The memory be green," showing his ability to mask his true intentions. Another example is in Act 3, Scene 3, when he confesses, "O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven," revealing his awareness of his own guilt.
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