Villains that are portrayed in Shakespeare’s plays are usually shallow, confident men who feel no remorse for their actions. These criteria initially apply to Claudius, the main antagonist in Hamlet, as he delivers his “inaugural” speech honoring Old Hamlet. But after watching a play, made by Hamlet, which accurately depicts how he had murdered his brother, Claudius falls into a deeply conflicted state of mind where he questions the morality of his actions. In the soliloquy that follows the play, Shakespeare organizes Claudius’ thoughts through questions and answers, and has him use religious diction and allusions, to convey Claudius’ conflicted and desperate state of mind. The overwhelming use of religious allusions and diction by Claudius
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At this point in the play Claudius realizes that, even if he has all his underlings fooled, that the powers in heaven are aware of his misdeeds, “And oft ‘tis seen the wicked prize itself/ Buys out the law. But ‘tis not so above:/ There is no shuffling; there the action lies/ In his true nature” (3.3.63-66). Claudius realizes that because the result of his actions was his inauguration into kingship, no one will question him in fear that there will be repercussions. Although this is all well and good, Claudius comes to a second realization: his kingship has no such influence in heaven. His devious actions are the result of his true nature, which he cannot hide when he is being judged at heaven’s gates. This leaves Claudius in confusion, “Try what repentance can. What can it not? / Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?” (3.3.69-70). Claudius does not see a clear way out of his current situation. Without a clear plan, Claudius’ desperation for forgiveness and conflicted mindset continues to worsen. In this soliloquy Shakespeare organizes Claudius’ thoughts by having him propose solutions to his problems followed by a reason why he cannot follow through on such a solution, leaving him conflicted on what to do next. In an attempt to make sense of his situation Claudius realizes the source of his inner conflict:
“Then …show more content…
This poses a dilemma for Claudius: give up his spoils or give up his chance to enter heaven. By asking himself questions, Claudius tries to solve this dilemma, but the result is more confusion. On one side, Claudius’ ambition to be successful in life urges him to hold onto his spoils, while his guilt and moral conscience urge him to do the
At this point in the play Claudius realizes that, even if he has all his underlings fooled, that the powers in heaven are aware of his misdeeds, “And oft ‘tis seen the wicked prize itself/ Buys out the law. But ‘tis not so above:/ There is no shuffling; there the action lies/ In his true nature” (3.3.63-66). Claudius realizes that because the result of his actions was his inauguration into kingship, no one will question him in fear that there will be repercussions. Although this is all well and good, Claudius comes to a second realization: his kingship has no such influence in heaven. His devious actions are the result of his true nature, which he cannot hide when he is being judged at heaven’s gates. This leaves Claudius in confusion, “Try what repentance can. What can it not? / Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?” (3.3.69-70). Claudius does not see a clear way out of his current situation. Without a clear plan, Claudius’ desperation for forgiveness and conflicted mindset continues to worsen. In this soliloquy Shakespeare organizes Claudius’ thoughts by having him propose solutions to his problems followed by a reason why he cannot follow through on such a solution, leaving him conflicted on what to do next. In an attempt to make sense of his situation Claudius realizes the source of his inner conflict:
“Then …show more content…
This poses a dilemma for Claudius: give up his spoils or give up his chance to enter heaven. By asking himself questions, Claudius tries to solve this dilemma, but the result is more confusion. On one side, Claudius’ ambition to be successful in life urges him to hold onto his spoils, while his guilt and moral conscience urge him to do the