Claudius, the main antagonist in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is an astute, avaricious, and manipulative character that contrasts greatly with the hero Hamlet, who values justice and morality above all else. In the play, Claudius yearns for the throne of Denmark, murdering his brother, King Hamlet and marrying his sister-in-law, Gertrude, in order to attain it. His actions throughout the play portray him as a shrewd and self-serving man. He unjustly gains the throne and will stop at nothing to protect it. Claudius proves to be an insecure man; any small threat to his new position compels him to commit corrupt actions such as spying, manipulation, and deceit. His role as a character drives the conflict in Hamlet’s narrative and his quest for revenge.
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He feels genuinely guilty for causing for his Lord Chamberlain Polonius’ death and truly loves Queen Gertrude. He also has an inner conflict about killing Hamlet and refuses to directly kill him due to feeling of guilt toward Gertrude. He also shows sympathy towards Polonius’ daughter Ophelia and her downward spiral toward madness, which her lover Hamlet fails to provide due to his preoccupation in his plot of revenge. Despite some moments of kindness, his desire for power triumphs over all else. He still chooses to hurt those around him for his benefit and schemes. In his plot to poison Hamlet, he fears destroying his plan and allows Gertrude to unknowingly drink out of the poisoned goblet. Claudius’ few moments of rational moral judgement are so scarce and clearly do not redeem his criminal behavior.
Even though Claudius is evidently a murderous and manipulative villain, he is still a complex and fluid character full of contradictions. But above all else he is a weak man who submits himself to indulging in his desires. Although he initially appears to be a merciless villain, deep down he is a cowardly man living in the shadow of the former king, incapable of morality and justice. He sacrifices his humanity out of greed and material possessions. Claudius truly exemplifies the central villain in a tragedy with all his complexities and shifts in
He feels genuinely guilty for causing for his Lord Chamberlain Polonius’ death and truly loves Queen Gertrude. He also has an inner conflict about killing Hamlet and refuses to directly kill him due to feeling of guilt toward Gertrude. He also shows sympathy towards Polonius’ daughter Ophelia and her downward spiral toward madness, which her lover Hamlet fails to provide due to his preoccupation in his plot of revenge. Despite some moments of kindness, his desire for power triumphs over all else. He still chooses to hurt those around him for his benefit and schemes. In his plot to poison Hamlet, he fears destroying his plan and allows Gertrude to unknowingly drink out of the poisoned goblet. Claudius’ few moments of rational moral judgement are so scarce and clearly do not redeem his criminal behavior.
Even though Claudius is evidently a murderous and manipulative villain, he is still a complex and fluid character full of contradictions. But above all else he is a weak man who submits himself to indulging in his desires. Although he initially appears to be a merciless villain, deep down he is a cowardly man living in the shadow of the former king, incapable of morality and justice. He sacrifices his humanity out of greed and material possessions. Claudius truly exemplifies the central villain in a tragedy with all his complexities and shifts in