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 hypocritically remarks that he has made arrangements for his "especial safety." Hamlet is perceptive enough to see through the treachery of Claudius and disgustedly says of him "that one may smile and smile, and be a villain." Even when Claudius kneels in prayer after he has shown his guilt at the play, there is no sincerity in his action. Without remorse, he soon plans the death of Hamlet in a fencing match. Besides being a hypocrite, Claudius is a cunning and unscrupulous schemer who will have his own way at any price. He poisons his own brother in order to satisfy his ambition to become the King of Denmark. This foul murder is so cleverly perpetrated that King Hamlet's death appears to be snakebite. Additionally,
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