Claudius
Claudius, the King of Denmark, is introduced first in Act I, Scene II and remains present throughout the play. He is the brother of Hamlet’s father, who recently passed away. He is introduced in a party setting in a lavish dining hall. Although he threw a memorial party for his brother, it is simultaneously a party for something else. He is newly wed and his wife, ironically, is the widow of Hamlet Senior. Hamlet does not trust the king because he seems artificial in his mourning. Not only that, but he is also insensitive of Hamlet’s loss.
In Act I, Scene V, we find out why. When King Hamlet returns as a ghost, he reveals that "The serpent that did sting thy father's life”; Now wears his crown,” (Act I, Scene V). This is a metaphor used to identify Claudius as his killer. Claudius poured poison into Hamlet Senior’s ear while he slept, killing his own brother in order to claim the throne. Robert Orstein writes that Claudius poisoning the ear was not only symbolic, “Claudius’ secret crime has literally, and not merely symbolically, poisoned the well-being of Denmark,” (Teaching Hamlet). After taking the throne, the entire royal family and kingdom suffered. Claudius’ marriage to Gertrude was nothing more than a plot to ensure his position to the throne. It is clear from this point forward that Claudius is the antagonist of the play. So far, only Hamlet knows of how the old king truly died. With his father’s coaxing, Hamlet figures that he must seek revenge upon Claudius.
It would be blasphemous to tell people and inconvenient to confront him. In Act I, Hamlet explains that “It is not, nor it cannot come to good; But break my heart,—for I must hold my tongue,” (Act I, Scene II, Page 11). This becomes the inner conflict for our protagonist. Despite this fact, Hamlet must do something. Shakespeare needed Claudius to be Hamlet’s arch nemesis. Everything about him is unpleasant, from his morals to his manner of speech. Just like the method he used to kill Hamlet Senior, Claudius’ voice is described as poison to ones ears. Norman Dalkey analyzes Hamlet’s famous soliloquy in Act I, Scene II, “He, of course then, wants to pick the action best for him, taking into account the proclivities of his antagonist,” (A Case Study of a Decision Analysis). Hamlet had to think about the horrible action Claudius committed, poisoning his father, and this drove him to make the crucial decisions he did throughout the rest of the play. The audience is meant to hate Claudius from the start and slowly throughout the act, discover the king’s dark side and confirm their suspicions. And therefore, Hamlet was meant to get revenge by murdering Claudius. This is what forms the outside conflict for Hamlet.
Hamlet Sr. (Ghost)
King Hamlet, the beloved ruler of Denmark, is dead at the beginning of the play but he still proves to be a major character even in the afterlife. First appearing in Act I, Scene I, his purpose remains a mystery as he scares off Marcellus and Horatio. The dumbfounded duo could not believe their eyes; the ghost resembled the deceased king. They informed Hamlet, who followed them to the same spot in Act I, Scene IV, to witness the supernatural firsthand. Shortly after midnight, the ghost appears and requests that Hamlet follows him. Despite his friend’s warnings, Hamlet is hardly concerned and follows his dead father.
He speaks to Hamlet, confirming his identity and telling the tale of his murder. Once he describes the tragedy, he sends Hamlet on a quest with the words “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder,” (Act I, Scene V). He portrays his brother as an evil conman and reprimands him for spoiling Denmark with his lewd behavior. “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be, A couch for luxury and damned incest”, (Act I, Scene V). Lysander Kemp describes the ghost’s motives for wanting Hamlet to avenge his death by saying, “He is even more horrified than Hamlet by the behavior of Gerturde and Claudius,” (Understanding “Hamlet”). Similar accusations were the kindling that ignited a determination in Hamlet to avenge his father and save his mother. Lysander Kemp continues to describe why the ghost is so adamant that his son must avenge his death, “His pride is deeply wounded; and quite understandably, his anger is great,” (Understanding “Hamlet”). This was all it took to set Hamlet on the task that would lead to the whole royal family’s demise.
The ghost of Hamlet Sr. is also a sign of imbalance within the kingdom. A ghost is an ominous sign that something bad is going on, especially one of such notoriety in Denmark. The supernatural specter foreshadows that Hamlet Sr.’s death was not cut and dry, as it was previously believed to be. Though not a major character in the play, he is essential to the plot. His presence provides the protagonist with a motive and leads the play towards the climax.
Claudius, the King of Denmark, is introduced first in Act I, Scene II and remains present throughout the play. He is the brother of Hamlet’s father, who recently passed away. He is introduced in a party setting in a lavish dining hall. Although he threw a memorial party for his brother, it is simultaneously a party for something else. He is newly wed and his wife, ironically, is the widow of Hamlet Senior. Hamlet does not trust the king because he seems artificial in his mourning. Not only that, but he is also insensitive of Hamlet’s loss.
In Act I, Scene V, we find out why. When King Hamlet returns as a ghost, he reveals that "The serpent that did sting thy father's life”; Now wears his crown,” (Act I, Scene V). This is a metaphor used to identify Claudius as his killer. Claudius poured poison into Hamlet Senior’s ear while he slept, killing his own brother in order to claim the throne. Robert Orstein writes that Claudius poisoning the ear was not only symbolic, “Claudius’ secret crime has literally, and not merely symbolically, poisoned the well-being of Denmark,” (Teaching Hamlet). After taking the throne, the entire royal family and kingdom suffered. Claudius’ marriage to Gertrude was nothing more than a plot to ensure his position to the throne. It is clear from this point forward that Claudius is the antagonist of the play. So far, only Hamlet knows of how the old king truly died. With his father’s coaxing, Hamlet figures that he must seek revenge upon Claudius.
It would be blasphemous to tell people and inconvenient to confront him. In Act I, Hamlet explains that “It is not, nor it cannot come to good; But break my heart,—for I must hold my tongue,” (Act I, Scene II, Page 11). This becomes the inner conflict for our protagonist. Despite this fact, Hamlet must do something. Shakespeare needed Claudius to be Hamlet’s arch nemesis. Everything about him is unpleasant, from his morals to his manner of speech. Just like the method he used to kill Hamlet Senior, Claudius’ voice is described as poison to ones ears. Norman Dalkey analyzes Hamlet’s famous soliloquy in Act I, Scene II, “He, of course then, wants to pick the action best for him, taking into account the proclivities of his antagonist,” (A Case Study of a Decision Analysis). Hamlet had to think about the horrible action Claudius committed, poisoning his father, and this drove him to make the crucial decisions he did throughout the rest of the play. The audience is meant to hate Claudius from the start and slowly throughout the act, discover the king’s dark side and confirm their suspicions. And therefore, Hamlet was meant to get revenge by murdering Claudius. This is what forms the outside conflict for Hamlet.
Hamlet Sr. (Ghost)
King Hamlet, the beloved ruler of Denmark, is dead at the beginning of the play but he still proves to be a major character even in the afterlife. First appearing in Act I, Scene I, his purpose remains a mystery as he scares off Marcellus and Horatio. The dumbfounded duo could not believe their eyes; the ghost resembled the deceased king. They informed Hamlet, who followed them to the same spot in Act I, Scene IV, to witness the supernatural firsthand. Shortly after midnight, the ghost appears and requests that Hamlet follows him. Despite his friend’s warnings, Hamlet is hardly concerned and follows his dead father.
He speaks to Hamlet, confirming his identity and telling the tale of his murder. Once he describes the tragedy, he sends Hamlet on a quest with the words “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder,” (Act I, Scene V). He portrays his brother as an evil conman and reprimands him for spoiling Denmark with his lewd behavior. “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be, A couch for luxury and damned incest”, (Act I, Scene V). Lysander Kemp describes the ghost’s motives for wanting Hamlet to avenge his death by saying, “He is even more horrified than Hamlet by the behavior of Gerturde and Claudius,” (Understanding “Hamlet”). Similar accusations were the kindling that ignited a determination in Hamlet to avenge his father and save his mother. Lysander Kemp continues to describe why the ghost is so adamant that his son must avenge his death, “His pride is deeply wounded; and quite understandably, his anger is great,” (Understanding “Hamlet”). This was all it took to set Hamlet on the task that would lead to the whole royal family’s demise.
The ghost of Hamlet Sr. is also a sign of imbalance within the kingdom. A ghost is an ominous sign that something bad is going on, especially one of such notoriety in Denmark. The supernatural specter foreshadows that Hamlet Sr.’s death was not cut and dry, as it was previously believed to be. Though not a major character in the play, he is essential to the plot. His presence provides the protagonist with a motive and leads the play towards the climax.
Page done by Milan