Claudius, a man dominated by his pursuit and protection crown, his ambition, and his queen. Claudius is the brother of King Hamlet, until the king is tragically murdered by an unknown man. In the midst of this chaos Claudius sweeps in, disrupting the normal passage of crown from father to son, and pacifies the kingdom with his new marriage and his political tongue. Although Claudius could easily be one of the main suspects in the regicide of his brother – who presumably won the crown instead of Claudius in an earlier election – nobody but Hamlet suspects him of having something to do with the assassination. Claudius’ morals are abhorrent and narcissistic. His actions approach psychopathy. Claudius masks his crimes and maneuverings under mock sympathies and a gilded tongue.
Claudius has a strong stomach for foul deeds. The play begins with the assassination of King Hamlet, who we later learn was killed by Claudius. However, Claudius doesn’t show any remorse for this murder. In fact, the only regret Claudius …show more content…
He marries her and appears to care for her. But in reality, Gertrude is another means of securing the real goals Claudius has. She is the new queen, the same as the old queen. Claudius marries her in order to help establish himself as king and smooth over the transition from one king to another. Gertrude and Claudius have a strong marriage; they cooperate in trying to control Hamlet – although Gertrude doesn’t know about Claudius’ involvement in the death of her former husband. However, Claudius doesn’t value her above his throne, above his ambitions. When Gertrude reaches for the poisoned cup, Claudius’ pitiful attempt to stop her is saying “Gertrude, do not drink” (V ii 317). When she overrules him and drinks anyways, he lets her. In order to keep alive his plot to kill Hamlet, Claudius allows the death of his queen. Her life was useful for his political ambitions, but her death means nothing to
Claudius has a strong stomach for foul deeds. The play begins with the assassination of King Hamlet, who we later learn was killed by Claudius. However, Claudius doesn’t show any remorse for this murder. In fact, the only regret Claudius …show more content…
He marries her and appears to care for her. But in reality, Gertrude is another means of securing the real goals Claudius has. She is the new queen, the same as the old queen. Claudius marries her in order to help establish himself as king and smooth over the transition from one king to another. Gertrude and Claudius have a strong marriage; they cooperate in trying to control Hamlet – although Gertrude doesn’t know about Claudius’ involvement in the death of her former husband. However, Claudius doesn’t value her above his throne, above his ambitions. When Gertrude reaches for the poisoned cup, Claudius’ pitiful attempt to stop her is saying “Gertrude, do not drink” (V ii 317). When she overrules him and drinks anyways, he lets her. In order to keep alive his plot to kill Hamlet, Claudius allows the death of his queen. Her life was useful for his political ambitions, but her death means nothing to