Cause Of Claudius's Downfall

The Tragedy of Hamlet is exactly what the title says it is; a tragedy. Many of the main characters meet their demise during the course of the play, as is expected in a tragedy. One of these characters is Claudius, who meets his demise during the final act, at the hands of Hamlet. Claudius falls victim to his own hubris, and pays for it in the end. As the audience reads the play, they know that Claudius will die, but there are also words and actions that foreshadow his downfall throughout the play. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the death of Claudius is logical and motivated through his actions as he tries to stay gain and maintain power, as well as being foreshadowed in the gradual downfall of both his court and Denmark as a whole. …show more content…
After the murder, Claudius goes through with his plan to send Hamlet off. When Hamlet finds himself alone, he determines that his goal now is revenge, saying, “why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do,’ sith I have cause and will and strength and means to do’t” (4.4.47-49). The end is now near for Claudius, even though he does not know it yet. With Hamlet gone and Polonius dead, Claudius continues to lose members of his court. Ophelia descends into madness and eventually commits suicide. Claudius comes closer and closer to his demise as evidenced by his court crumbling and Hamlet’s vow to avenge his …show more content…
Claudius’ plan backfires and his court continues to crumble. Hamlet eventually puts Laertes out of commission, but before he dies, he tells Hamlet “The King, the King’s to blame” (5.2.350). Claudius’ court has both fallen and betrays him, with Laertes telling Hamlet it is Claudius’ plot to kill him. Hamlet finally gets his revenge by making Claudius drink the poisoned wine. After Hamlet dies, the Norwegian army under Fortinbras invades and takes over the castle, marking the demise of not only Claudius, but of all of his