Much death ensues at the end of Hamlet. Given all that the reader knows by now, King Claudius could easily be blamed for all that occurs.
While I do not think Claudius is purely evil, he is not merely a flawed human being either. Throughout the play, Hamlet paints Claudius as the villain, however there is one scene where the reader is given a rare insight into the thoughts and reflections of Claudius. On page 1411, there is a monologue from Claudius in-which he reminisces on the death of his brother. He states that he indeed did murder Hamlet Sr. but also makes it clear that he seeks forgiveness and repentance for what he has done. At this point, some remorse is spared toward Claudius as this page shows that he could just be a flawed human who serves his own ambition and vice.
There is another scene that contradicts the notion about Claudius' virtue. Pages 1431-1434 contain a dialogue between Claudius and Laertes. Laertes by this point, thinks only of revenge for the death of Polonius. Claudius modestly discusses of a plan to set up both Laertes and Hamlet to battle each other so that Laertes may defeat Hamlet. They both agree on a plan but Laertes' rage is fueled once again by the message that his sister has drowned. Claudius tells Gertrude, "How much I had to do to calm his rage" (1434). Claudius not only devises a plan to eliminate Hamlet, but also lies to Gertrude about the encounter with Laertes so that no suspicion casts upon him. This scene shows the cunning and deceitful nature that Claudius holds and counteracts the idea that he is merely a flawed person.
In fact, all of the murders portrayed in this story can be linked directly toward Claudius. Claudius himself killed the king. He told Polonius to hide in Gertrude's room, placing him in a precarious situation that ends in his death. This death then leads to Ophelia's suicide. He then aids in Laertes' plan to murder Hamlet, which leads to Gertrude's, Laertes', Hamlet's, and his own death.
Truly, Claudius' faults and willful acts play toward not only the deaths of his family and friends, but also the degradation of the Danish Kingdom. The story ends with some confused English Ambassadors and Polish forces within the castle walls, with no immediate heir to the thrown. With no leadership, it is likely that given this situation, Poland and England would take as much spoils as they possibly can.
Claudius is a tragic character, but i do not think this play could be titled The Tragedy of King Claudius. Hamlet is a much more fitting central character due to his roundness. He goes through multiple changes throughout the story. From woeful youth, to vengeful agent, to rude lunatic, the stories focus on Hamlet leaves a graver impression on the reader and the audience.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Hamlet Acts 1 & 2: Vengeance Bound by Chains
The first two acts of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, set the plot for the story. As the story progresses, many details reveal themselves to the reader. Following Shakespeare's reputation, Hamlet is filled with dilemmas that plague the protagonist. Having arrived recently, Hamlet discovers that his father has been killed and his mother married his uncle, who has taken his rightful spot to the thrown. As soon as Hamlet is given a chance to speak in the play, he makes his contempt for the circumstances well known. Claudius, Hamlet's uncle and the new king, refers to Hamlet as his son, to which Hamlet replies, "A little more than kin, and less than kind" (1362). Due to this rash and immediate answer, it is apparent that Hamlet deeply despises his uncle and now even more so because he has taken the throne that belonged to his father, but more importantly Hamlet himself.
The death of Hamlet's father disturbs him deeply. Hamlet, still in grievance of his father's death, exclaims, "So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother..." (1364). Hamlet respected and loved his father. He describes his father as being a good king, and loving husband to his mother. Naturally the death of someone's father would bring much grief toward many people, but Hamlet must endure another blow toward his families honor. His mother has married his uncle and married him within a brief period after his death. Hamlet acknowledges this as he exclaims, "She married, O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity and incestuous sheets...", and further criticizes his mother by stating, "...a beast that wants discourse of reason Would have mourned longer- married with my uncle..." (1364). Hamlet questions the actions that his mother has taken place. What is interesting though, is that while he immediately antagonizes his uncle and his actions, he seems to want to deny that his mother is consenting to all of this. He has a bias toward his mother, but most likely naturally has one because the Queen is his mother.
Hamlet does lead the reader toward in interesting proposal though. Why would the Queen agree to marry her husbands brother? Should she have not protested the idea instead? Perhaps she did not care for the sanctity of her son's birth right, or the honor of her former husband due to selfish reasons. Regardless of her reasoning, the decision seems to drive her son mad.
Later, Hamlet is confronted by the Ghost of his dead father. The apparition pleads to Hamlet and asks that he murder his uncle so that he may be avenged and rest in peace. Despite a fabulous and heroic speech that follows, Hamlet does not immediately take action and instead visits the woman he loves, Ophelia. Under orders to do so, she reveals the incident to her father as she states, "...And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors he comes before me" (1380). Hamlet's mental health is not fairing well with all the events that have come to pass. Ophelia has the impression that Hamlet has gone mad.
Later in the play, it is revealed that Hamlet is indeed suffering and tormented. He has a conversation with Rosencrantz and describes how, "Denmark is a prison" (1386). Toward the end of Act 2 it is revealed why Hamlet believes so when he confesses, "But I am pigeon-livered, and lack gall", and that he feels, "Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must like a whore unpack my heart with words, And fall a-cursing like a very drab" (1394). Hamlet has intentions to avenge his father, but cannot because he feels powerless and lacks the courage to do so. This monologue reveals Hamlet's torment.
The death of Hamlet's father disturbs him deeply. Hamlet, still in grievance of his father's death, exclaims, "So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother..." (1364). Hamlet respected and loved his father. He describes his father as being a good king, and loving husband to his mother. Naturally the death of someone's father would bring much grief toward many people, but Hamlet must endure another blow toward his families honor. His mother has married his uncle and married him within a brief period after his death. Hamlet acknowledges this as he exclaims, "She married, O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity and incestuous sheets...", and further criticizes his mother by stating, "...a beast that wants discourse of reason Would have mourned longer- married with my uncle..." (1364). Hamlet questions the actions that his mother has taken place. What is interesting though, is that while he immediately antagonizes his uncle and his actions, he seems to want to deny that his mother is consenting to all of this. He has a bias toward his mother, but most likely naturally has one because the Queen is his mother.
Hamlet does lead the reader toward in interesting proposal though. Why would the Queen agree to marry her husbands brother? Should she have not protested the idea instead? Perhaps she did not care for the sanctity of her son's birth right, or the honor of her former husband due to selfish reasons. Regardless of her reasoning, the decision seems to drive her son mad.
Later, Hamlet is confronted by the Ghost of his dead father. The apparition pleads to Hamlet and asks that he murder his uncle so that he may be avenged and rest in peace. Despite a fabulous and heroic speech that follows, Hamlet does not immediately take action and instead visits the woman he loves, Ophelia. Under orders to do so, she reveals the incident to her father as she states, "...And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors he comes before me" (1380). Hamlet's mental health is not fairing well with all the events that have come to pass. Ophelia has the impression that Hamlet has gone mad.
Later in the play, it is revealed that Hamlet is indeed suffering and tormented. He has a conversation with Rosencrantz and describes how, "Denmark is a prison" (1386). Toward the end of Act 2 it is revealed why Hamlet believes so when he confesses, "But I am pigeon-livered, and lack gall", and that he feels, "Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must like a whore unpack my heart with words, And fall a-cursing like a very drab" (1394). Hamlet has intentions to avenge his father, but cannot because he feels powerless and lacks the courage to do so. This monologue reveals Hamlet's torment.
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