With masterful economy and grace, the deceased King's brother in Hamlet schemes his way into the acceptance of his newly acquired people. The character Claudius is shown to the audience as a self-involved, deceitful brother, lacking a conscience, who manipulates situations for the better of himself. He first makes an appearance in Act 1, Scene 2 with a drawn out speech to his court, attempting to disguise the actualities of King Hamlet's death and the marriage of his sister-in-law. He ignores the young Hamlet's obvious bitterness towards him and repeatedly insults the grieving son in an attempt to make his own actions appear picturesque. Claudius' conniving character is represented through his behavior in Scene 2 as well as the perception that the people of Denmark hold for him.
             Claudius appears to be meritorious in his initial sugar-coated speech at the beginning of Scene 2 in the play. However, a suspicion of deception is easily derived from many of his statements. He wishes that the kingdom would unite and accept him in their grieving state and he remarks, "To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe" (I, ii, 3-4). In a later attempt of manipulation, Claudius seeks to extract his court from the mourning stage they are experiencing. In doing so he would accomplish his goal of transforming his hurried union to Hamlet's wife seem fortifying and appropriate. The marriage should be a questionable act, but Claudius manages to make it seem necessary in rebuilding the nation when he describes her, "The imperial jointress to this warlike state" (I, ii, 9). He then proceeds to thank the royalty of Denmark for their support – even though they have not given it. The subject is casually changed then to focus on!
             the threat of war in the land. The people are pleased with Claudius' political actions. When Laertes is requesting leave...