Of all the characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet the role of Claudius seems to be the most intriguing and crucial role in this tragedy. Claudius is the most controversial, the most mysterious and the most talked about character in this play. Many people look at Claudius and only see a villain, but there are additional sides to him that are often overlooked: Claudius as a father, a husband, a ruler and as a mortal individual. In this play the characters are not super-human they make mistakes just like any existing person, Claudius isn't an exception whatsoever, but his mistakes only make him look more human.
Claudius, as a father is very recognizable in Scene 2 of Act 1. He states to Hamlet, starting at Line 108 "...think of us as of a father: for let the world take note, you are the most immediate to our throne, and with no less nobility of love that that which dearest father bears his son do I impart toward you." Hamlet is "Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son." (Line 118) Here Claudius is speaking to Hamlet and saying that he is loved and accepted even since he is not Claudius' biological son. Claudius seems to have no trouble speaking to his son Hamlet in front of a crowd. However when the two are alone, Claudius is at a loss for words and can not figure out what to say, or when to say it. It could be that the King feels so guilty about murdering King Hamlet that he is unable to speak to Hamlet in private, because of the fear of his true nature emerging from the depths of his heart.
Along the same lines, Claudius is also a great and sovereign ruler. When young Fortinbras came to demand the surrender of those lands lost by his father to King Hamlet, Claudius handled the matter with such ease and grace. He informed Fortinbras that a letter was going to be sent to the King of Norway telling him "...to suppress his (Fortinbras) further gait herein." (Act1, Scene2; 31-32.) Claudius real...