Claudius (Villain)

Claudius (Villain)

1. How did/does he execute the crime?

   • Cold blooded murder
     • "With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour the leprous distilment"
       • I, v, 62

2. What motivated him to commit the crime?

   • He wanted what his brother had
     • "my crown, mine own ambition, and my queen"
       • III, iii, 55

3. What was/is the outcome of the crime?

   • He got what his brother had

4. How does he feel about his crime over time?

   • He feels guilty but doesn't want to give up what he obtained from murdering his brother
     • "May on be pardoned and retain th' offence"
       • III, iii, 56

5. How is he avenged - by what means? Is it a 'just' demise for the audience?

   • Hamlet hurts Claudius with the poisoned blade and makes him drink the rest of the poison from the cup
     • He dies by his own doing
     • "The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to they work"
       • V, ii, 301
     • "Drink off this poison"
       • V, ii, 305

6. Does one feel any sympathy for Claudius?

   • No, he killed the king, his own brother and lets Gertrude die.
     • But Hamlet does torture him as such, as he drags out the revenge and uses things like the play within the play to torment Claudius