The Manipulator: An Analysis of Claudius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Claudius, the king in the drama Hamlet by William Shakespeare, was a manipulative, power-driven, mastermind. His dream of becoming king came true when he supposedly murdered his brother, Hamlet Senior, and married queen Gertrude. However, upon discovering Claudius’ atrocious deed, with ghost’s assistance, Hamlet acted insane and created strange allegations. Terrified of losing his new found power, Claudius manipulated Gertrude, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Laertes to carry through his heinous scheme of killing Hamlet.
Weakened by her husband’s murder and the threat of Fortinbras’s army reconquering Denmark, Gertrude was easily manipulated into marrying Claudius, the man who …show more content…
In order to squeeze as much information out of Hamlet as possible, Claudius needed to treat the pair with absolute affection, so he stated, “Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. / Moreover that we much did long to see you, / The need we have to use you did provoke / our hasty sending…” (Ham. 2.2.1-4). Being the king, Claudius clearly over flattered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, when he could have utilized his power to order them to complete his task. Continuing his overflowing concern, Claudius persuaded them to work together, knowing their cooperation would pull the scheme through. After he had the two hooked, Claudius exclaimed, “Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern” while the queen reversed it and added, “Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz” creating equal gratitude (Ham. 2.2.35-36). Spoiling the plan by arguing was the last thing Claudius desired, especially when Gertrude promised “... a king’s remembrance” to seal the deal (Ham. 2.2.26). This compromise offered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a chance to rise in position and gain power for themselves. A chance too superior to ignore. Unfortunately, they never received the Queen’s offer; instead, they found themselves in the midst of Claudius’ plot. The lack of grief shown toward Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s death displayed that Claudius had no remorse or care for what …show more content…
With Ophelia in a state of confusion over love and Polonius accidentally slaughtered by Hamlet., shell-shocked Laertes explained, “... I a noble father lost, / A sister driven into desperate terms, /...But my revenge will come” (Ham. 4.7.27-28,31). Knowing that Laertes was in a weakened state, Claudius persuaded him with kindness and trust in hope that Laertes might follow through with the grand scheme. To guarantee Laertes’ loyalty, Claudius acted confused and somewhat conflicted in an attempt to evoke an exact answer, “If it be so, Laertes / As how should it be so? How otherwise? / Will you be rul 'd by me?” (Ham. 4.7.64-66). In order to generate a guiltless Laertes, Claudius fueled Laertes’ vengeance. In fact, Claudius went as far as to ensure that Laertes’ grief was still prominent as he stated, “Not that I think you did not love your father / But that I know love is begun by time, / And that I see, in passages of proof, / Time qualifies the spark and fire of it” (Ham. 4.7.126-129). Claudius manipulated Laertes into believing his anger and frustration demanded action within a timely matter. More concerned with the possibility that Laertes might abandon the plan, Claudius ignored Laertes’ emotional instability. When Gertrude interrupted the conversation between Claudius and Laertes with the news of Ophelia’s suicide, Laertes lost the little control he obtained. Fearing that Laertes might kill Hamlet before
Claudius, the king in the drama Hamlet by William Shakespeare, was a manipulative, power-driven, mastermind. His dream of becoming king came true when he supposedly murdered his brother, Hamlet Senior, and married queen Gertrude. However, upon discovering Claudius’ atrocious deed, with ghost’s assistance, Hamlet acted insane and created strange allegations. Terrified of losing his new found power, Claudius manipulated Gertrude, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Laertes to carry through his heinous scheme of killing Hamlet.
Weakened by her husband’s murder and the threat of Fortinbras’s army reconquering Denmark, Gertrude was easily manipulated into marrying Claudius, the man who …show more content…
In order to squeeze as much information out of Hamlet as possible, Claudius needed to treat the pair with absolute affection, so he stated, “Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. / Moreover that we much did long to see you, / The need we have to use you did provoke / our hasty sending…” (Ham. 2.2.1-4). Being the king, Claudius clearly over flattered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, when he could have utilized his power to order them to complete his task. Continuing his overflowing concern, Claudius persuaded them to work together, knowing their cooperation would pull the scheme through. After he had the two hooked, Claudius exclaimed, “Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern” while the queen reversed it and added, “Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz” creating equal gratitude (Ham. 2.2.35-36). Spoiling the plan by arguing was the last thing Claudius desired, especially when Gertrude promised “... a king’s remembrance” to seal the deal (Ham. 2.2.26). This compromise offered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a chance to rise in position and gain power for themselves. A chance too superior to ignore. Unfortunately, they never received the Queen’s offer; instead, they found themselves in the midst of Claudius’ plot. The lack of grief shown toward Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s death displayed that Claudius had no remorse or care for what …show more content…
With Ophelia in a state of confusion over love and Polonius accidentally slaughtered by Hamlet., shell-shocked Laertes explained, “... I a noble father lost, / A sister driven into desperate terms, /...But my revenge will come” (Ham. 4.7.27-28,31). Knowing that Laertes was in a weakened state, Claudius persuaded him with kindness and trust in hope that Laertes might follow through with the grand scheme. To guarantee Laertes’ loyalty, Claudius acted confused and somewhat conflicted in an attempt to evoke an exact answer, “If it be so, Laertes / As how should it be so? How otherwise? / Will you be rul 'd by me?” (Ham. 4.7.64-66). In order to generate a guiltless Laertes, Claudius fueled Laertes’ vengeance. In fact, Claudius went as far as to ensure that Laertes’ grief was still prominent as he stated, “Not that I think you did not love your father / But that I know love is begun by time, / And that I see, in passages of proof, / Time qualifies the spark and fire of it” (Ham. 4.7.126-129). Claudius manipulated Laertes into believing his anger and frustration demanded action within a timely matter. More concerned with the possibility that Laertes might abandon the plan, Claudius ignored Laertes’ emotional instability. When Gertrude interrupted the conversation between Claudius and Laertes with the news of Ophelia’s suicide, Laertes lost the little control he obtained. Fearing that Laertes might kill Hamlet before