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Hamlet

 

            In Shakespeare's Hamlet, King Claudius is one of the most controversial characters. There are many sides to this character that are overlooked that make him out to be just a villain. There is Claudius the father, the husband, the ruler and the human being himself. .
             Claudius the father never had a problem stating his feelings about Hamlet in front of a crowd. He would stand up and say that he feels the same about Hamlet as his father felt. In reality however, Claudius was the one who killed his father. It seems, in the play, as if Claudius has no problem talking to Hamlet in front of a crowd, but in private he can't seem to find words to speak. This could be due to his guilt from killing his father and taking the thrown all in the matter of a short period of time. Although this makes him seem like a villain there are other parts that people do not recognize that may change their opinion.
             Claudius the husband is not a very clear or understandable part of him. There isn't much we know about Claudius" and Gertrude's private life but that of what Hamlet reveals. However what Hamlet reveals cannot be taken seriously because there is no truth behind it. However, what we do know about Claudius the husband is that he must have treated Gertrude with respect or she wouldn't have married him in the first place. .
             Claudius was also a great leader. He handled disputes over lands taken from Fortinbras" father with ease. He realized that a war at the beginning of his reign would not make him look good and turn the people against him. Since he had just come to power, he had decided to handle the matter without ever having to use force or go to war. There were also rumors of incest going around. He did not want to be blamed for tainting the Queen's bed and being responsible for the fall of the kingdom. .
             King Claudius also had feelings and a conscience like everyone else. In act 3 Claudius reveals to us that he did kill King Hamlet.


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