Claudius Analysis

Claudius Analysis

1. Other men are motivated by moral justice and revenge whereas he is obsessed with lust and power. He's a complex villain

2. Old hamlet was a brave warrior and a stern king, the kind of person that Hamlet aims to be. Claudius is a twisted politician who lies and manipulates people through his use of worlds and persuasive language.

   • His speech is compared to the poison in the ear. This is significant, his words have twisted the minds of the country and also Gertrude. He has poisoned Denmark. For example, he married Gertrude as a strategic move, he doesn't love her.

3. As the play progresses, he gets more anxious and paranoid. When Polonius is killed he doesn't fear for Gertrude but is too preoccupied with his own safety. He does the same thing to Laertes when 'comforting him'. He has a clever way of speaking to trick people into thinking he caress.

   • He insists on having 2 methods of ensuring Hamlets death which is part of his downfall.

4. He knows how to act in social situations: how to show grief, how to show admiration for his wife. He turns the funeral into a celebration about himself

5. Much like Hamlet, he's tormented by uncertainty and indecision.

6. Though he steals and acts wrongly, he has the strength and confidence to admit that he would do it again, he takes responsibility for his actions, unlike Hamlet whose inaction results in 6 people dying.

   • Both of them however abandon their humanity in order to achieve their goals. The antagonist and protagonist mirror each other.
     • That makes him the villain is that he lies and murders, he doesn't repent, feel guilt and his actions are clearly wrong. Hamlet is the hero because though he murders, he suffers at the hands of his own conscious and doesn't do it for himself. Hamlet absolves himself of his guilt before he dies so will go to heaven whereas Claudius doesn't ask for divine retribution and so he will go to hell.

7. The murder of a brother is similar to the story of Cain and able, which is said to be the first ever murder.

   • The ghost compares him to the serpent which seduced Eve in the garden of Eden. This is significant as snakes are powerful symbols. it links to the incest claims.

8. Though he's a bad man, he may be a good king. he managed to convince the Court that he was a good option. He married the Queen. He cleaned up the mess with Norway, and he was able to manipulate Laertes easily. He's charismatic and doesn't et his conscience sway him, unlike other characters.