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Claudius, Reflects political skill in ability to assess and get rid of…
Claudius
“Though yet of our dear brother’s death the memory be green, and that it us befitted to bear our hearts in grief” (A1 S2)
- Claudius’ use of transition words e.g. “Though yet” suggests carefully constructing argument to persuade the court to accept him. Could be insecure of his hold on throne due to sinful means in getting it. - Also conscious of brother’s popularity so presents himself as grieving to assure his popularity
- Repetition of the royal “we” reinforce idea they were chosen by God (Divine rights) to ensure authority won’t be challenged
- Line 16-17, lack of pause from old hamlet to political situation prevents others from questioning him -> doesn’t want court to ponder over old hamlets death as he killed him.
- Green = hamlets death still fresh but colour can be associated envy -> Claudius killed over desire for throne (theme: appearance vs reality)
- Claudius’ display of male dominance, and reinforces impression that women are of a lower status. Gertrude’s intimacy with Hamlet = ability to interpret his disposition but still tells her to leave as he and Polonius spy on Hamlet, as if she is not competent to carry out the deed with them.
- Also uses Ophelia as a tool to lure Hamlet into revealing his state of mind, with no consideration of her recent heartbreak
“Sweet Gertrude, leave us two, / For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither, / That he, as ‘twere by accident, may her / Affront Ophelia.” (A3 S1)
- Claudius commands and controls both female characters.
- reinforces position of power to the audience and shows his lack of compassion
“...we here dispatch you, good Cornelius and you, Voltemand, for bearers of this greeting to old Norway” (A1 S2)
- Claudius chooses only to deal with Old Norway despite young Fortinbras being threat suggesting the way in which Claudius wants to give appearance of honouring traditional hierarchies despite his illicit means in disrespecting tradition to be king
- Claudius commands in protection of Denmark shows initiative and control over the situation -
— reinforces his character as confident and authoritative as there is no uncertainty in first command he gives out.
- Contrasts to Hamlets inability to act
- speech length establishes Claudius’ authority and deprives Hamlet of a political voice - Claudius’ desire to keep Hamlet suggests feelings of insecurity and politically astute desire to keep Hamlet close at hand -> perhaps afraid hamlet would uncover him as behind old Hamlets death
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- shows a clear sense of guilt, as admits his sins. compares his pretence at innocence to prostitute suggesting a tawdry cheapness to his actions and his acknowledgement of the magnitude of his sins suggests that he may possess a conscience.
- inability to relinquish ill-gotten gains and truly ask for forgiveness amplifies hypocrisy, as he knows the dishonorable nature of his deeds but does nothing to amend them.
“The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plast’ring art, / Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it / Than is my deed to my most pointed word.” (A3 S1)
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“He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found / The head and source of all your son’s distemper.” (A2 S2)
- King Claudius unconvinced Hamlet’s mental illness is caused by the grief over his father’s death and the King and Queen’s hasty marriage.
- scrutinising abnormality in Hamlet’s behavior, maybe afraid of being revealed as Old Hamlet’s murderer. tension in the relationship between Claudius and Hamlet, as he constantly surveillances hamlet and preserve his power.
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- All reinforces Claudius as an astute politician - Themes: politics and power
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Themes: appearance and reality, politics and power
- Use of antithesis creates doubleness hinting at duplicitous nature of Claudius (theme: appearance vs reality)
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Theme: Politics and power, appearance vs reality
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- Shakespeare accentuates Claudius deviousness as he drinks from the cup before he places the poisoned pearl in it. clever strategy used to clear him of blame as he knows that everyone else saw him drink from the same cup as Hamlet.