Hypocritical Nature Of Claudius's Soliloquy

In the beginning of the play, Claudius is portrayed as a cunning character who murders his own brother and marries his sister-in-law to attain the power of the crown, a power that he manages to craftily convince the people of Denmark belongs to him. It is not often that a softer side of Claudius is exposed to the audience, and when it is his views on religion and his own conduct come to light. This occurs during Claudius’ sole soliloquy, right after Hamlet has used the Mousetrap play to reveal to Claudius his knowledge of King Hamlet’s murder. Claudius considers the morality of his actions their religious implications when he admits that “[his] offense is rank, it smells to the heavens” (3.3.36). He identifies that his actions have been dishonest, and notices that his sins will most likely be noticed by God. He wants to repent for his actions, but doesn’t know if it is possible, wondering if “there (is) not rain enough in the sweet heavens / To wash (his hand covered in his brothers’ blood) white as snow” (3.3.45-6). He has to beg his body, “bow, stubborn knees, and, heart with strings of steel, / Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe” (3.3.70-1). Although he is begging his body to change, his subconscious is preventing him from bending his knees and softening his heart, therefore preventing him from acting on

In Act 3 Scene 3, Claudius’s prayer includes his confessions and plea for forgiveness in killing his brother. Shakespeare includes a Biblical allusion that further supports Claudius’s concerns. He states that “it hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, a brother’s murder” (Act 3 Scene 3, Lines 38-39). Based on this statement, Claudius refers to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel in which Cain kills his brother. This further connects to Claudius’s current state as he reflects upon his vile wrongdoing of killing his brother.

But, is not willing to make a sacrifice since he does not want anyone else ruling Denmark besides himself. Not only that, but Claudius did not think about the impact that King Hamlet's death would have on Hamlet, Gertrude, and Denmark as a whole. Hamlet struggled significantly with his father's death and this was something that didn’t concern Claudius since he was not concerned about Hamlet’s well-being nor did he think about Hamlet while murdering his father. Also, Claudius never thought twice about how King Hamlet’s death would impact Denmark as a whole since he was a great ruler and his absence might cause the country to “crumble”. The only thing Claudius was concerned and blinded with was ruling the throne and not the fact that he would make an unfitting ruler and what would be best for the country since all he wants to do is control everyone. Furthermore, in the soliloquy, it is present that Claudius has a sense of guilt for murdering his

During lines 57-60, Claudius has a prolonged moment of wisdom and revelation in which he describes how “corrupted currents,” (57) of the mortal world can bribe the law but that this is not the case “above,” (60) in heaven. This revelation is yet more irony as Claudius’ truthful statement about not being able to bribe heaven contradicts his attempts to pick a particular prayer with which he could gain redemption from heaven. Shakespeare does break scansion during line 57 and ends it with a single syllabled “masculine” word, emphasizing that the mortal world’s corruption and Claudius’ own corruption are real. During his wise moment, Claudius mentions “Offence’s gilded hand,” (58) shoving by justice. The gilded nature of the hand that attempts to bypass justice is a metaphor for Claudius’ own seemingly benevolent appearance of seeking redemption while he is in reality trying to find a shortcut to redemption without having to give up his spoils of murder. Interestingly, Shakespeare breaks scansion in line 58 and ends it with a two syllabled “feminine” word showing that Claudius does not believe that he can actually escape justice and achieve redemption deceitfully. This shows that Claudius may have the potential for redemption after

(136) This soliloquy is very important because it demonstrates Hamlet’s anger at himself and Claudius, and how

In Act III, scene III, Shakespeare illustrates Claudius's inner turmoil with an internal monologue. In Claudius's soliloquy, he states that he had murdered his brother,the absolute confirmation that such an act has occurred. Through Claudius soliloquy, Shakespeare reveals Claudius's inner character and further characterizes his disposition, though the remorse he feels is not for his slain brother but for the consequences he faces because of it. Shakespeare is able to depict Claudius’s internal conflict and how it reflects his character.

In act 3 scene 3 Claudius performs his soliloquy which acts like a window into the true nature of Claudius’ guilt. This excerpt of the play is the first time we encounter Claudius confess blame for the crime against his brother. This self-confession further demonstrates the guilt that Claudius exhibits in act 3 scene 2 when Claudius flees the theater after Hamlet arranges a play reenacting the events of his father’s murder. As Claudius states on line 56, “May one be pardoned and retain th’offense?” This line depicts the true nature of Claudius’ guilt: He does not regret his actions, for his actions have granted him “My crown, mine own ambition and my queen.” (3.2.55) Claudius is content with his gains, his only guilt stems from the fact that he believes he will not go to heaven because of his actions. Zeffirelli as opposed to Branagh shortens this soliloquy which causes a loss of perception into the complex role that guilt plays throughout the story.

The ghost had said the soliloquy to show how the city of Denmark was affected by the Claudius’s actions. Claudius being called was a symbolic moment, it symbolizes the serpent as an introduction of sin into the world (R). He is now known to be causing sins to the world starting with incest and marrying the King’s wife. Although to others Claudius is seen as a serpent, he knows that he has done wrong. In his one and only soliloquy of the whole play he is praying and says:

Claudius has just revealed in his soliloquy that he had murdered his brother, and does not expect to be forgiven, since he has no willingness to leave the luxuries of the throne. Claudius expresses guilt, and pity for himself, for the actions he had taken to acquire this wealth. Ironically, he griefs the death of his brother, but he is content with the outcome, as he was able to acquire all his brother’s powers and processions after death. Performing this soliloquy, I imagine a relatively intoxicated Claudius, who is disorientated in appearance. He would be delivering this lines, while on his knees bowed down to pray, and as soon as he folds his hands, he would began to cry. I believe that he would deliver these lines with an uneasiness and

In act 1 scene 2 of “Hamlet” the character Hamlet speaks his first soliloquy which reveals his innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience. In this soliloquy Hamlet’s unstable state of mind is evident as well as his feelings of despair about his father’s death and his disgust of his mother’s remarriage to his uncle Claudius. Hamlet’s hatred for his uncle is shown through harsh comparisons between Claudius and his late father. This soliloquy takes place after Claudius has begun his reign as king and has addressed the court for the first time but before Hamlet hears about the apparition that Horatio and the guards have seen. Hamlet’s character and personality are shown in this soliloquy through the use of classical imagery, diction and

Pray can I not,/Though inclination be as sharp as will./My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,/And like a man double business bound,/I stand in pause where i shall first begin,/And both neglect (Act III, III, 36).” This soliloquy also, like Hamlet, reveals another side to Claudius that clearly exposes remorse for what he had done. However, he further states in the soliloquy “May one be pardoned and retain th’offence? (Act III, III, 55).” This quote communicates to the audience an important side to his personality that portrays his greed and selfishness. Without the influential technique of soliloquies the audience would be oblivious to the important information they provided about the characters, this in result would leave the play lacking of any emotional development and deeper meaning. This would therefore reduce the reader’s reaction to significant character events such as death and would affect the overall impact of the play.

The play “Hamlet” depicts the life of a prince who wants to avenge his father’s death. In his journey, he takes the lives of many, but manages to kill Claudius, the one who killed his father. The soliloquy being analyzed is located at the end of Act 2 Scene 2. This extract takes place after Hamlet is left alone in a room in the castle. A character in this soliloquy is Hamlet. In the extract, he is releasing his fury as a player could get more emotional about his father’s death than Hamlet. He is reflecting at what he has done and what will he do to avenge his father.

Shakespeare uses the technique of giving Claudius's language a double meaning to portray to the audience his deceptive and two-sided character. Yet still, in these early stages on the play the audience is still yet to learn of the king's spiteful murder and in his speech he compares the body of his brother to that of "the first corpse" referring to Abel. It is unconscious but dramatic irony used here by Shakespeare as Claudius committed the same crime as Cain. Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony here engages the audience's interest and adds tension. Moreover, it makes Claudius seem vulnerable as his avenger is trying to out step him.

In the play Hamlet, Claudius is known as the villain of the play. He is the lead antagonist who is characterized as a cunning, incestuous, and vile, usurper. Many readers and critics of the play do not dispute this perception, especially after reading how Claudius became the King of Denmark; He steals the throne by poisoning his brother, the previous king, and quickly marrying Queen Gertrude his widowed sister in law (1.5.42, 60-74). The general reading of Claudius’s character paints him to be a corrupt, cowardly politician, in addition to being Hamlet’s (the protagonist) foe. This portrait engages first-time readers to judge Claudius immediately and although this perspective of his personality is proven to be true, it is limited. Claudius

Shakespeare's drama Hamlet has become a central piece of literature of Western culture. It is the story of a prince named Hamlet, who lost his father. Soon after that he has to confront multiple obstacles and devises a series of situations to defend the new king's royalty. Furthermore, he had to prove that King Claudius, who was the prince's uncle, had killed Hamlet's father. This story has remained among the most popular and the most controversial plays around the world. It generates controversy for all the doubts that this play leaves with the readers. One of the most questioning situations in the play is the delay of Hamlet in avenging Claudius' for his father's death. As a reader this