Throughout Hamlet, Claudius is revealed to be a malevolent person at heart; however, it doesnt reflect that of Claudius role as King of Denmark. In dealing with politics, Claudius reveals his leadership ability by proving his effectiveness as a king, while his personal actions, such as the murder of Old Hamlet and his marriage to Gertrude, and manipulative speech would suggest otherwise.
As proven through his leadership ability and political characteristics, Claudius is, surprisingly, a good king who is fit to lead Denmark compared to that of Old Hamlet. From the first act of Hamlet, Claudius is already portrayed as one who can live up to his status as King. In response to Young Fortinbras aggressive letter on the reclamation of his fathers lost lands, Claudius states, We have here writ to Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras [] to suppress his further gait herein (1.2.27-32). Compared to Old Hamlet, who did slay this Fortinbras, Claudius chooses to settle political matters in a more peaceful manner instead of inciting violence that would inevitably cause the bloodshed of his people (1.1.85). The choice of diplomacy over war represents the difference between Claudius and Old Hamlet: Claudius shows care for his people by protecting them from a war while Old Hamlet is presented as being bloodthirsty, acting on his own impulse rather than thinking about the consequences of his actions. In explaining the appearance of Old Hamlets ghost to hamlet, Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo convey that he was armed from head to foot (1.2.225-227). This image of the ghost reveals a violent nature of Old Hamlet, or else why would his ghost be donned from head to foot in his battle armor? This exemplifies the idea that Old Hamlet tends to solve matters through violence and bloodshed. Not only does this reveal that Claudius is indeed the better King of Denmark of the two, but it also entails a sense of sympathy for Claudius. Although he is a bad person at heart for the murder of Old Hamlet, he shows characteristics of a good king for his people. Through a series of intelligent political moves and signs of sympathy, Claudius proves over and over again that he is fit to be the King of Denmark.
Claudius characteristics as a good king doesnt stop at just smart political actions, but continue on with the sympathy he shows towards his subjects. In Act 1 Scene 2, Claudius is shown to care for Hamlets well being by asking, How is it that clouds still hang on you? (1.2.66). Claudius presents himself here as a caring, passionate king. In the process of fixing Hamlets insanity, he calls upon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus that opened lies within our remedy (2.2.17-18). In the hopes of curing Hamlets ailment, Claudius summons Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlets childhood friends, to discover the source of his insanity. In order to show how much he loves and cares for Hamlet, Claudius tells him, You are the most immediate to our throne, and with no less nobility of love than that which dearest father bear his son do I impart toward you (1.2.109-112). Claudius, wanting Hamlet to think of him as a father, is seen time and time again trying to fix Hamlet of his insanity. His desire to do so is for the benefit of Denmark, for if Hamlet, the heir to the throne, were seen wandering around Denmark acting as wild as he is, it would crush the hopes of the people. Claudius doesnt just show respect towards his kin, such as Hamlet and Gertrude, but also to each individual subject of his. For example, as Laertes requests to return to France, Claudius asks him, What wouldst thou beg, Laertes, that shall not be my offer, not thy asking? (1.2.45-46). Here, Claudius is seen showing his generosity to Laertes, stating that there is nothing he will not give Laertes if he asks for it, which shows that he treats each of his subjects, let it be Hamlet, Gertrude, Osric, or Laertes, equally. From avoiding war to trying to cure Hamlets insanity, Claudius not only shows that he cares for his subjects, but also that he is protective of his country and wishes only the best of Denmark.
Despite Claudius admirable characteristics as King of Denmark, he is inevitably inserted into Hamlet as a malevolent character who is a bad person at heart as pointed out by his murder of Old Hamlet, his attempt to murder Hamlet, and other plots to protect himself from the slings and arrows of his sinful life. Upon meeting with Hamlet privately, Old Hamlets ghost angrily states, Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wits, with traitorous gifts (1.5.42-43). Old Hamlets ghost sums up almost all characteristics, which describes Claudius to be an immoral person, such as being an incestuous beast. Revealed here is also the fact that Claudius won Gertrudes affection through his clever words and fancy gifts. While speaking to his fathers ghost, Hamlet discovers that the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown (1.5.38-39). From the very beginning of Hamlet, Claudius is already perceived to be a bad person due to the fact that he murdered his own brother to take over the crown of Denmark, but thats not all. In Claudius eloquent speech to his subjects, he states that our sometime sister, now our Queen [has] taken to wife in your better wisdoms (1.2.8-15). Claudius does not only murder his brother, but he also marries his sister-in-law, which defines an incestuous relationship, resulting in two sins already done by Claudius. However, he speaks meticulously, mourning the loss of Old Hamlet before discussing the matters at hand, such as his marriage to Gertrude, in order to sway both the reader and his subjects to feel sympathetic for him. Claudius, typically able to control his emotions, comments on Hamlets constant sadness for the loss of his father as unmanly grief (1.2.94). Unable to suppress his desire to rid his conscious of guilt from murdering his brother, Claudius reveals a more malicious, uncaring side of him. Claudius lack of morals is exposed mostly through that of Old Hamlets ghost, but his own speech plays against him as it refers to his cleverness with words.
Claudius, through his manipulative speech, is capable of talking himself out of seemingly dangerous situations. One example of which is presented when Laertes returns from France in a violent rage from the murder of his father, hoping to seek revenge on Claudius. Claudius, however, asks him Ist writ in your revenge that swoopstake you will draw both friend and foe, winner and loser? (4.5.140-142). To avoid being caught in Laertes revenge-seeking path, Claudius calmly asks Laertes if he wants to hurt both his friends and enemies while avenging his father, pacifying the hotheaded Laertes. Even though Claudius indirectly played a part in Polonius murder, he hides that fact, dodging Laertes questions with questions of his own. Furthermore, Claudius generously states, We will our kingdom give Our crown, our life, and all that we call ours [] (4.5.199-200). In pretending to be generous, Claudius successfully takes the blame off himself and points Laertes in the right direction of his revenge: Hamlet. Upon being discovered of his sinful deed through The Mousetrap, Claudius seeks out prayer so that hell be sent to heaven. Claudius, oblivious to Hamlets presence, kneels down in a vain attempt to seek out redemption, only to fail: My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go (3.3.97-98). Although Claudius makes an effort to pray, he cannot bring himself to do so because hes wrapped up in keeping the crown and Gertrude. Also, it suggests that Claudius cannot ask for such forgiveness from God because he isnt truly sorry for what hes done. Again, Claudius reveals his immoral characteristics through his own speech. Although Claudius has proven to be a more than capable king, his immoral characteristics have prompted a question: Does being a good king outweigh being a bad person?
Claudius immorality, although a negative characteristic of being king, appears inferior to that of his capacity as a king. Looking past the fact that Claudius murdered his brother and married Gertrude to take the crown of Denmark, he likes to resolve things peacefully, has quick judgment, and is concerned for nothing more but the future of Denmark. Summarizing his speech in Act 1, Scene 2, Claudius gives his deceased brother a short section of acknowledgment before moving on to speak about Denmarks future. Claudius, a smart political leader, lives in the present, and thinks of the past as what is done is done. In the same speech, Claudius manages to convince his subjects that his marriage to Gertrude played a necessary and key component in the rebuilding of Denmark as a nation after the death of Old Hamlet by stating, Thimperial jointress to this warlike state (1.2.9). In the peoples eyes, Claudius is executing his political duty as king to diminish their fears of their country being crushed by Fortinbras army and the fall of their king.
Compared to Old Hamlet, Claudius desires to settle things diplomatically rather than through violence and war. In a reply to Claudius previous letter to Fortinbras uncle to hinder his nephews troops, the uncle asks for a quiet pass through [Claudius] dominions for this enterprise on such regards of safety and allowance (2.2.76-78). This can easily be read as Claudius foolishness for allowing such a vast army to pass through his country with quiet pass; however, it can be interpreted as a gesture of good will. Claudius uses smart political sense here by allowing Fortinbras army a safe passage through Denmark because it reveals to Fortinbras that Claudius trusts him, allowing an improvement in the relationship between the two once warring countries. Hamlet, after his meeting with his fathers ghost, becomes wary of Claudius, showing contempt and struggles to expose Claudius for who he really is: a murderous, incestuous man. However, Claudius seems to always be one step ahead of Hamlet in a response to Hamlets sarcastic comments after his speech in Scene 2 of Act 1, he replies, Why, tis a loving and a fair reply (1.2.121). Claudius is competent in keeping Hamlet at bay, allowing him to waive off Hamlets ruthless attempts to mar Claudius status as king. After The Mousetrap, in which Claudius guilt is evident, he decides to send Hamlet away to England to hide him from the people of Denmark: So is it if thou knewst our purposes (4.3.46). In Claudius mind, Hamlet cant be seen causing mayhem among the people of Denmark through his insanity because Hamlet is the next successor to the throne after his death. Claudius peaceful methods of settling things, as well as his ability to sway his subjects towards his view define the characteristics which make him a good king, empowering the negatives of his immorality.
In Hamlet, Shakespeare portrays Claudius as a manipulative man who will do anything to hide his sins. However, to define Claudius in his entirety, one has to view not only his actions, but also his words. His actions identify his malevolent component, while his words act as misguidance from his murder and marriage. Although Claudius is clearly represented as the antagonist of Hamlet, his political views and decisions dominate that idea, as demonstrated through his tactful rhetoric.
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