This document includes notes, main points and quotes to do with the character analysis of King Claudius from the Shakespearean tragedy "Hamlet." These notes ought to help you write your essay for the Hamlet portion of the (Edexcel) A Level English Literature exam.
Like a Machiavellian, Claudius is manipulative and cunning. He has a talent for using words to
deceive and manipulate those around him. His speech, which appears to be a eulogy for his
deceased brother, is actually a clever way to justify his own actions and to gain the support of the
court.
His patriotism, dedication and manipulative nature is highlighted from the very beginning: “our
dear brother’s death” and “our whole kingdom.” Through the overuse of the pronoun “our” and
other collective pronouns like “we” and “us”, it’s clear that Claudius is trying to identify, engage
and sympathize with his court and build a loving and affectionate relationship to gain their
unwavering loyalty and support and so that they overlook his questionable and controversial
(sinful) marriage.
His true, Machiavellian nature: insincere, immoral, detached, manipulative. We can see this in
how quickly he moves on from the talk of his dead brother which can be shown by the close
proximity of the oxymoronic nouns, “woe” and “joy” and “marriage” and “funeral.”
His style of speech is also significant in that it is well-structured, rehearsed, eloquent, formal,
and filled with cleverly crafted words. This shows his manipulative and so Machiavellian nature
through which he can brainwash and control his subjects and get away with things. Although, it
could be argued that this could help him negotiate for his country well, his Machiavellian
character reveals to us that that was not his motive.
ACT 5 SCENE 2; GERTRUDE’S DEATH
(His soliloquy:) Upon discovering that Hamlet has killed Polonius, he isn’t concerned with
whether Gertrude is in danger, instead highlighting his selfishness worrying about his own safety.
“The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath, And in the cup an union shall he throw” –
Claudius reveals his Machiavellian plan to poison Hamlet.
“Richer than that which four successive king, In Denmark’s crown have worn.” = he doesn’t
consider the effects of his obsession with murdering Hamlet which leads to Gertrude’s death. He
exhibits the traits of a Machiavellian villain as he has no morals and will risk anything to secure
his power, even if it includes endangering people.
“Hamlet, this pearl is thine. Here’s to thy health.”
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