Character Sketch of Claudius
The present King of Denmark and Hamlet's uncle. He succeeds to the throne by murdering his brother and incestuously marrying his sister-in-law. He is devious and manipulative, except for one moment of fearful regret. Claudius is the present King of Denmark, Hamlet's paternal uncle, and Gertrude's new husband. By nature, he is coarse and vulgar, a man who enjoys drinking and debauchery. The stark contrast between his vulgarity and his dead brother's goodness is emphasized repeatedly throughout the play. Portrayed as a completely corrupt and power-hungry villain, he murdered the king, his own brother, then took his wife and his crown as his own. Threatened by Hamlet's presence and popularity, he also plans to have him murdered. Claudius is completely given over to hypocrisy, appearing to be one thing when he is the complete opposite. He pretends to be a doting stepfather, when all he cares about is protecting himself. Suspicious by nature, he is always on guard and immediately perceives a threat in Hamlet's madness and makes plans to do away with him. He effortlessly makes fond references to his late brother with no trace of guilt or shame. In Act IV, when he has issued orders to have Hamlet killed, he hypocr
Hamlet commits his murders in the open and suffers the pangs of his own conscience. A character who loves is not merely a cold-blooded killer. He explains his feelings for her at the end of Act IV, but he has proven these feelings consistently throughout the play The Queen his mother Lives almost by his looks, and for myself, My virtue or my plague, be it either which, She's so conjunctive to my life and soul That as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not by her. " Even when Claudius kneels in prayer after he has shown his guilt at the play, there is no sincerity in his action. The Queen has chosen to marry Claudius, and she defends him even to her son. Claudius is a sneak who murdered and lied. Claudius subverts his conscience and refuses to ask for divine forgiveness. Hamlet seeks contrition and absolves himself of guilt before he dies; Claudius receives no absolution and seeks none. Whereas he recognizes that he his "offense is rank" and "smells to heaven," he also admits that he will not make amends with God because he refuses to give up what his crime has bought him. This foul murder is so cleverly perpetrated that King Hamlet's death appears to be snakebite. Hamlet will spend eternity in Heaven; Claudius will burn in Hell. Were he dark and sinister in all things, she would fear and despise him; she follows him willingly even when he arranges to send her beloved son into the jaws of death. By taking full responsibility for his actions, Claudius mitigates his evil nature. Without remorse, he soon plans the death of Hamlet in a fencing match.
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Acceptance Essays
