Analysis of Claudius' Speech, Act I, Scene II
In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Act I, Scene II, Claudius presents himself to be arrogant, authoritative, as well as compassionate, as the new King of Denmark. The role of Claudius is known to be the most intriguing and crucial character in this tragedy. Claudius is the most controversial, the most mysterious and the most talked about character in this play. According to the quotation presented in The Prince, by Nicolo Machiavelli: “Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them”, Machiavelli speculated that the strongest leaders are ones who are able to carefully balance appearances to his/her benefit, strategically using them to strengthen his/her regime. If Machiavelli was indeed correct, then Claudius, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, starts off as an ideal Machiavellian prince.In Act I, Scene II, Claudius appears to have complete control over Denmark, as evidenced by his imposing speech t . . .
Claudius was a murderer, conspirator and a liar, but also a passionate man. o the court: “Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, Th’imperial jointress to this warlike state, Have we, as ’twere with a defeated joy, With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole, Taken to wife. The oxymoronic phrases “mirth in funeral” and “dirge in marriage” recall Machiavelli’s words, for Claudius demonstrates his ability to express whatever emotions make him look wise and just, showing that he is in command of Denmark, despite his limited experience as king. The speech presents itself to be ironic as well, knowing that he is not the one in grief, especially since he was the cause of all the grief in the first place: “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death, The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe. Claudius’ words of “Therefore our sister, now our queen” show the incestuous relationship existing between Gertrude and himself. In reality he cares little for the old king, he speaks kindly only to give the appearance of loving a brother. 2: 8-14) In this scene, Claudius, who has only recently taken the throne after the death of his brother, addresses some pressing issues. Claudius speaks well of the spent king by showing a general love for him by all his subjects. He was smart in using the words he did and was a strong and influential character throughout the play, clearly shown in his use words in Act I, Scene II. Claudius is clearly a wise politician, for he deliberately emphasizes the contrast between his marriage to Gertrude and King Hamlet’s death, using phrases such as “defeated joy” and “with an auspicious and a dropping eye. On one hand Claudius appeals to popular sentiment by remembering his popular brother, and on the other hand, with his celebration of his marriage, the King proves that he is ready to move on and attack his new role with vigor. He does what he has to, to obtain the desired power, and in the end does what he must to keep it, although to no avail.
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