In Hamlet, the tragedy written by William Shakespeare, King Claudius begins the Act I, scene II by announcing his recent marriage to his murder brother’s wife, Gertrude. After the announcement, he is brought a letter from Fortinbras demanding the land his father lost returned to Norway. He sends Voltimand and Cornelius to speak to the King of Norway about his vengeful nephew. Claudius is then presented Laertes, who seeks permission to return to France and is granted the right to leave Denmark. Alongside Laertes is Hamlet, who is still grieving the loss of his father, King Hamlet. Gertitude is concerned about mental state of Hamlet, since he is still wearing his black garments meant for mourning. Claudius attempt to step in as a father figure
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King Claudius starts his monologue by complementing the nature of Prince Hamlet; “Tis sweet and commendable in your nature,” (I.ii.90). Shakespeare has Claudius beginning with an understanding sympathetic tone towards Hamlet in his time of mourning, similar to what a “real” father would behave like. Claudius’ choice of the word “sweet” to describe Hamlet’s nature is condescending, since men are not value for being sweet during this time period. Even more, sweet is not a characteristic in which a future rule should pride himself on. The need to undermine Hamlet stems from Claudius’s obsession with the throne and the power that it brings. His seemingly harmless complement in uses to build tension in the scene between himself and Hamlet. Claudius’ tone shifts from sympathetic to judgmental, when he criticize Hamlet’s mourning. “But you must know, your father lost a father;” (I.ii.92). The repetition of “father” empathizes the recurring theme of fathers and parental relationships throughout the play.In addition, Claudius is talking down to Hamlet and act as if Hamlet is unaware that everyone dies at some point. “But you must know”, implies that Claudius views himself as superior and is far wiser than Hamlet. Shakespeare further shows how Claudius views Hamlet as being overdramatic since he is not the only one to lose a father, “your father lost a father”. This dramatically differs from Hamlet’s feelings towards the death of his father, which is still painful four months past his
King Claudius starts his monologue by complementing the nature of Prince Hamlet; “Tis sweet and commendable in your nature,” (I.ii.90). Shakespeare has Claudius beginning with an understanding sympathetic tone towards Hamlet in his time of mourning, similar to what a “real” father would behave like. Claudius’ choice of the word “sweet” to describe Hamlet’s nature is condescending, since men are not value for being sweet during this time period. Even more, sweet is not a characteristic in which a future rule should pride himself on. The need to undermine Hamlet stems from Claudius’s obsession with the throne and the power that it brings. His seemingly harmless complement in uses to build tension in the scene between himself and Hamlet. Claudius’ tone shifts from sympathetic to judgmental, when he criticize Hamlet’s mourning. “But you must know, your father lost a father;” (I.ii.92). The repetition of “father” empathizes the recurring theme of fathers and parental relationships throughout the play.In addition, Claudius is talking down to Hamlet and act as if Hamlet is unaware that everyone dies at some point. “But you must know”, implies that Claudius views himself as superior and is far wiser than Hamlet. Shakespeare further shows how Claudius views Hamlet as being overdramatic since he is not the only one to lose a father, “your father lost a father”. This dramatically differs from Hamlet’s feelings towards the death of his father, which is still painful four months past his