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Character Analysis: CLAUDIUS
Character Profile – At a Glance
Role: King of Denmark; Hamlet’s uncle and stepfather; the play's central antagonist (villain).
Key Traits: Ambitious, politically astute, manipulative, charismatic, hypocritical, and morally corrupt.
The Core Conflict: He murdered his brother (King Hamlet) and usurped the throne, and must now protect his secret and his power from Prince Hamlet.
Key Actions: Seizes the throne, marries Queen Gertrude, spies on Hamlet, attempts to have Hamlet executed in England, and manipulates Laertes into a poisoned duel.
Famous Quote: "O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, A brother’s murder." (Act 3, Scene 3).
The Outcome: His plots are exposed, and he is killed by Hamlet with the poisoned foil and wine.
The Politician King: A Study in Hypocrisy
Claudius is a complex and sophisticated villain. He is not merely a tyrant but a highly capable politician and a charismatic ruler. His primary characteristic is the stark contrast between his outward appearance and his inner reality.
In his first appearance (Act 1, Scene 2), Claudius projects an image of control, competence, and stability. He addresses the court with sophisticated rhetoric, balancing the grief for his brother's death with the celebration of his new marriage and the political threat of Fortinbras.
Original:
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,
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature... (Act 1, Scene 2)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
Despite that our dear brother Hamlet’s death
Lives fresh within our minds, and it seems right
To grieve in public as the public grieve
Together in an outpouring of pain,
We must think rationally, despite emotions…
This facade conceals the reality that he is a murderer (regicide and fratricide) and has usurped the throne. He embodies the theme of deception. Hamlet recognises this hypocrisy, later noting that "one may smile, and smile, and be a villain" (Act 1, Scene 5).
Manipulation and Control
To maintain his illegitimate power, Claudius relies on manipulation, deception, and a network of spies. He is a master of statecraft, constantly manoeuvring to neutralize threats and maintain control of the narrative.
He handles the threat of Fortinbras diplomatically. More insidiously, he manages the internal threat posed by Hamlet through surveillance. He employs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on their friend (Act 2, Scene 2) and uses Polonius and Ophelia as pawns to uncover the cause of Hamlet's madness (Act 3, Scene 1).
When Hamlet becomes a direct threat after the performance of The Mousetrap (Act 3, Scene 2) and the murder of Polonius (Act 3, Scene 4), Claudius acts decisively and ruthlessly. He arranges for Hamlet to be sent to England, secretly ordering his execution.
His most cruel manipulation is his handling of Laertes. When Laertes returns seeking revenge for Polonius, Claudius skilfully redirects his rage towards Hamlet, corrupting Laertes's sense of honour by convincing him to use a poisoned foil in the duel (Act 4, Scene 7).
The Burden of Guilt: A Troubled Conscience
Despite his villainy and political effectiveness, Claudius is not entirely without a conscience. Shakespeare provides moments where Claudius privately acknowledges his guilt and the moral consequences of his actions.
The most profound exploration of his guilt occurs in the Prayer Scene (Act 3, Scene 3). Alone, he attempts to pray for forgiveness, admitting his "offence is rank" and comparing it to the biblical murder of Abel by Cain.
Original:
Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent... (Claudius – Act 3, Scene 3)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
I can’t pray,
Although I want to just as much as sinning;
The guilt I feel usurps my wish to pray;
However, he recognises that true repentance requires him to give up the rewards of his sin – the crown and the Queen – which he is unwilling to do.
Original:
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:
Words without thoughts never to heaven go. (Claudius – Act 3, Scene 3)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
I say my prayers, but thoughts still contravene them;
And God won’t hear my words unless I mean them.
This scene adds depth to his character; he is tormented by his sin, yet his ambition overrides his moral impulses.
“Claudius is not a monster; he is a subtle, disparate, and totally human. He is a ‘smiling, damned villain’ – a distinctive and poignant figure in the gallery of Shakespeare’s evil-doers.”
Claudius and Gertrude
Claudius's relationship with Gertrude is ambiguous. While their marriage is criticized by Hamlet and the Ghost as incestuous and lustful, Claudius appears to show genuine affection for the Queen.
He frequently refers to her as his "dear Gertrude" and seems reliant on her politically and emotionally. In Act 4, Scene 5, he shows courage in protecting her from the enraged Laertes.
However, his love is ultimately self-serving. In the final scene (Act 5, Scene 2), when Gertrude drinks the poisoned wine meant for Hamlet, his attempt to stop her is weak ("Gertrude, do not drink"). He does not confess the danger, prioritising the execution of his plot over her life. While his affection may be real, his ultimate loyalty is always to his own ambition.
Key Quotes by Claudius
Quote 1:
Original:
O, 'tis too true!
How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience!
The harlot's cheek, beautied with plastering art,
Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
Than is my deed to my most painted word. (Claudius, aside – Act 3, Scene 1)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
Oh, that is true!
Those words are like a whip across my conscience.
The hooker’s face, plastered in lurid makeup,
Is just as ugly with cosmetic dressing
As are my actions to my outward speech.
Quote 2:
Original:
Madness in great ones must not unwatched go. (Act 3, Scene 1)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
Great folk, when mad, must not be left alone.
Quote 3:
Original:
But, O, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn? ‘Forgive me my foul murder’?
That cannot be; since I am still possess'd
Of those effects for which I did the murder,
My crown, mine own ambition and my queen. (Act 3, Scene 3)Shakespeare Retold (Modern Verse):
But, oh, what type of prayer
Forgives what I have done? ‘Redeem my murder’?
Of course it can’t, for I’m still benefitting
From all reasons why I did the crime:
My crown, my own ambition and my queen.
Quote 4:
Key Takeaways
Claudius is a sophisticated and effective villain, characterised by his political skill, manipulation, and ambition.
He is the source of the corruption in Denmark; his usurpation of the throne disrupts the natural order.
The disparity between his outward appearance of control and his inner guilt is central to his character, most notably explored in the Prayer Scene.
While capable of guilt and seemingly genuine affection for Gertrude, his ambition ultimately outweighs his morality, leading to his downfall.
Study Questions and Analysis
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If judged solely on his political acumen, Claudius demonstrates significant capability as a ruler. He presents a stable and organised court (Act 1, Scene 2), skilfully handles the diplomatic crisis with Norway, and acts decisively to manage internal threats.
He is a strategist, constantly working to consolidate his power. He manages the court effectively and acts decisively when confronted with crises, such as Laertes's rebellion (Act 4, Scene 5). However, his reign is built on a foundation of murder and deception. His legitimacy is false, and his need to maintain his secret ultimately destabilises the kingdom, undermining his effectiveness.
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The text suggests that Claudius holds genuine affection for Gertrude, though his love is intertwined with his ambition. He explicitly states in his soliloquy that the Queen is one of the primary rewards for his crime, alongside the crown (Act 3, Scene 3).
He treats her with respect in public and seems to value her partnership. He expresses concern for her well-being, particularly after Polonius's death and Ophelia's madness. However, his love is ultimately secondary to his self-preservation. In the final scene (Act 5, Scene 2), he makes only a weak attempt to stop her from drinking the poison, prioritizing the success of his plot against Hamlet over her life.
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he Prayer Scene (Act 3, Scene 3) is crucial because it offers the deepest insight into Claudius's psychology and confirms his humanity. In his soliloquy, he fully acknowledges his guilt ("O, my offence is rank") and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of morality and repentance.
However, the scene also confirms his ultimate damnation. He recognises that he cannot be forgiven because he is unwilling to relinquish the rewards of his sin. This moment reveals that his primary commitment is to his ambition, not his morality. It also creates dramatic irony, as Hamlet spares him believing he is praying, when in fact, Claudius is unable to do so.
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Claudius's manipulation of Laertes in (Act 4, Scene 7) is a key example of his political skill and moral corruption. He first calms Laertes's initial rage, assuring him of his innocence in Polonius's death.
He then skilfully redirects that rage towards Hamlet. He flatters Laertes's swordsmanship and challenges his commitment to honour, questioning whether his love for his father is merely "painting of a sorrow." Claudius cynically uses Laertes's grief to persuade him to adopt a treacherous plan involving the poisoned foil and the poisoned cup. In doing so, Claudius corrupts Laertes's honourable desire for revenge and turns him into an instrument of murder.
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Claudius and Hamlet are stark opposites in their approaches to action and morality. Claudius is the decisive man of action, willing to use manipulation, deceit, and murder to achieve his goals. He acts swiftly and strategically to protect his position.
Hamlet, in contrast, is the contemplative intellectual, paralysed by moral and philosophical concerns. He hesitates and overthinks, seeking perfect justice rather than immediate action.
However, they also serve as dark mirrors of each other. Both are intelligent and capable of profound introspection, yet both engage in deception and are responsible for the deaths of others.
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Claudius is a master of rhetoric, using language as a tool for manipulation and political control. His speech is polished, balanced, and sophisticated. His opening address to the court (Act 1, Scene 2) is a masterpiece of political manoeuvring, carefully justifying his hasty marriage and asserting his authority.
He uses language to maintain the facade of legitimacy and morality. However, this contrasts sharply with his private admissions of guilt, where his language becomes more tormented and direct (Act 3, Scene 3). His ability to "paint" his words demonstrates the pervasive theme of deception in the play.
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Claudius makes several critical mistakes, but his fatal mistake is arguably his underestimation of Hamlet's intellect and resolve. While he recognises Hamlet's melancholy as dangerous ("Madness in great ones must not unwatched go" – Act 3, Scene 1), he fails to grasp the true depth of Hamlet's knowledge and intent until it is too late.
Specifically, his elaborate plot with Laertes in the final act (Act 5, Scene 2) is overly complex and relies on too many variables (the poisoned foil and cup). This leads to the unintended death of Gertrude and his own destruction when the plot unravels.