Hamlet: Presentation of Claudius
- Created by: jadenicole
- Created on: 01-02-18 15:04
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- Hamlet: Presentation of Claudius
- reflection of Denmark
- hinted at in his first speech of the corruption he shares with Denmark
- Scene V: "foul and most unnatural murder"
- Abrupt, incestuous marriage with the Queen - ethically corrupt, clearly unremorseful for Hamlet's death
- Act I Scene II: "our sometime sister, now our Queen"
- "with mirth in funeral, and with dirge in marriage" - deliberate juxtaposition hints to suspicious character
- noun "mirth": amusement, laughter. Would not have been present at a King's funeral
- fuelled by self interest, otherwise the marriage would not have taken place
- noun "dirge": lament for the dead, sorrowful funeral music. Suggests there is something wrong with their marriage
- fuelled by self interest, otherwise the marriage would not have taken place
- noun "mirth": amusement, laughter. Would not have been present at a King's funeral
- GARDINER: "the principle source of rottenness which pervades Denmark"
- Agree: Ghost refers to him as "that incestuous, that adulterate beast" Scene V.
- Against: not absolutely cynical, only morally weak in the face of gaining power as he exhibits guilt later.
- hinted at in his first speech of the corruption he shares with Denmark
- man of intelligence and capability
- emphasises his character is not static, he is not only an antagonist
- Aware of drastic change in government - could foment civil unrest
- tactfully prevents unlawful allegiances and rebellions through first speech Act I Scene II
- national unity: "The whole kingdom / To be contracted in one brow of woe"
- inclusive language "us", "together", "our kingdom" shows solidarity with citizens - likeable and trustworthy - people can mourn whilst he attends to royal duties (or sinning)
- national unity: "The whole kingdom / To be contracted in one brow of woe"
- tactfully prevents unlawful allegiances and rebellions through first speech Act I Scene II
- DR Sean McEvoy uses political theorist Niccolo Machiabelli to assert Claudius is a strong monarch -
- a King's secret crimes should be untried should they secure the safety of his country - Claudius is more attractive as a strong but corrupt leader than as a virtuous but weak one
- he can take action even if those actions are laced in deceit
- Gardiner: self interest.
- Against: some actions in country's interest - Shakespeare alludes to Hamlet being a bad King
- his "function is smothered in surmise"
- Against: some actions in country's interest - Shakespeare alludes to Hamlet being a bad King
- a King's secret crimes should be untried should they secure the safety of his country - Claudius is more attractive as a strong but corrupt leader than as a virtuous but weak one
- multifaceted - morally weak but with feelings of guilt
- Remorse for murder Act III Scene III: "O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul murder?"
- wishes to repent his sins - knows he did something wrong
- unlikely out of change in character, feels guilt whilst recognising he still possessed "of those effects for which I did the murder [...] my crown, mine own ambition, and my queen"
- soliloquy suggests he wants God's forgiveness but also to keep the benefits of his crime
- capable of remorse and mercy, unusual in villains, but is content to trade his soul and humanity for material values
- Harvey Granville-Barker: "the makings of a central figure of a tragedy"
- inspired and is present in Macbeth - Macbeth is Claudius' character developed to the full potential as Hamlet is - Macbeth is a tragic human for feeling remorse for the benfits he reaps from his sins, unlike Claudius making him a villain
- Remorse for murder Act III Scene III: "O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul murder?"
- reflection of Denmark
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