Claudius' Analysis
The King of Denmark
Relations
“To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe” S2 The whole kingdom will mourn the kings death but life has to go on
“The serpent that did sting thy father’s life
Now wears his crown.”
S5
The Ghost is telling Hamlet that the King now, Claudius, is the person that murdered him and usurped.
“Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,” S5
He seduced Gertrude with gifts and marrys her.
“Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched” S5 Claudius took the kings life, crown and queen
Kills King Hamlet so that he can be king of Denmark
Act 2
“And since so neighbored to his youth and 'havior,
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
Some little time so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures and to gather,
So much as from occasion you may glean,
Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus
That, opened, lies within our remedy.”
S2
Since the boys he brought was childhood friends with Hamlet he wants them to find out whats wrong with him
“The play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” S2
“Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus That, opened, lies within our remedy.” S2
Act 3
“Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up.
My fault is past. But oh, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn, “Forgive me my foul murder”?”
S3
Asking God to forgive him for his sin because he knows he has done wrong
“Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear Blasting his wholesome brother. Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed And batten on this moor?” S4
“That cannot be, since I am still possessed Of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.” S3
Act 4
“No more to undertake it, I will work him
To an exploit, now ripe in my devise,
Under the which he shall not choose but fall.
And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,
But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
And call it accident.”
S7
Claudius says no one will worry when Hamlet dies because everyone will she it as an accident
“My mother. Father and mother is man and wife, man and wife is one flesh, and so, my mother.” S3
“If that’s how you feel, Laertes—and why shouldn’t you? Will you let me guide and direct you?” S7
He wants Hamlet dead so he is convincing him to do it out of his feeling off revenge and in this fencing match Laertes will use a rapier that is covered in poison
Act 5 “It is the poisoned cup. It is too late.” S2
“Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane,
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
Follow my mother.”
S2