... most complex in the play and therefore is open to wide interpretation. Shakespeare ultimately presents Claudius as a "smiling damned villain" who rarely is what he appears to be. The most potent example of this occurs in act 1 scene 2 when Claudius first speaks. He issues a speech and begins by saying: " Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death " This gives the impression that Claudius is ... out of fright as Hamlet had just made it apparent that he knows of Claudius's "foul murder". This leaves the thought that Claudius is a coward, unwilling to face the consequences of his action...

• Word Count: 1997
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School