Deceit is often used in politics and everyday life to acquire power and success. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, Claudius employs deceit in order to shield his malicious purposes. King Claudius’ manipulation and cowardice ends in his demise. His deceitfulness causes Hamlet to seek revenge and his cowardice allows Hamlet to be successful in doing so. Claudius’ cruelty and deceptive, diabolical nature is the leading cause of the carnage at the play’s end. King Claudius’ tactics in conquering the throne of Denmark and manipulating his subjects act as evidence for his deceptive personality. He ascends to the throne of Denmark by poisoning his own brother and seducing his brother’s widow, Queen Gertrude, and marries her within
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Upon witnessing this dramatized version of his own actions, Claudius stands up and announces, “Give me some light. Away!” (III.iii.295). Claudius’ reaction was pivotal in confirming Hamlet’s suspicions regarding the death of his father. This entire time, Claudius has been misleading everyone into thinking that he was innocent and clueless of the circumstances of King Hamlet’s death. Convinced now that Claudius is a villain, Hamlet resolves to kill him. In fear of Hamlet plotting revenge against him, Claudius attempts to send Hamlet away to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, bearing a letter asking the King of England to execute Hamlet. Fortunately for Claudius, the accidental murder of Polonius provides a justification for sending Hamlet to England. Claudius suggests, “Hamlet…for thine especial safety…send thee hence…for England” (IV. Iii. 44-51). Gertrude and Hamlet were both under the impression that Claudius was sending Hamlet away to protect him from any harm that he may face after the murder. Claudius has the ability to manipulate situations to make them come out in his favor. He deceives the public eye by pretending to be a friend rather than a
Upon witnessing this dramatized version of his own actions, Claudius stands up and announces, “Give me some light. Away!” (III.iii.295). Claudius’ reaction was pivotal in confirming Hamlet’s suspicions regarding the death of his father. This entire time, Claudius has been misleading everyone into thinking that he was innocent and clueless of the circumstances of King Hamlet’s death. Convinced now that Claudius is a villain, Hamlet resolves to kill him. In fear of Hamlet plotting revenge against him, Claudius attempts to send Hamlet away to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, bearing a letter asking the King of England to execute Hamlet. Fortunately for Claudius, the accidental murder of Polonius provides a justification for sending Hamlet to England. Claudius suggests, “Hamlet…for thine especial safety…send thee hence…for England” (IV. Iii. 44-51). Gertrude and Hamlet were both under the impression that Claudius was sending Hamlet away to protect him from any harm that he may face after the murder. Claudius has the ability to manipulate situations to make them come out in his favor. He deceives the public eye by pretending to be a friend rather than a