How does Shakespeare’s language portray Claudius as an intellectual Villain? Essay

Charming, magnetized and Sympathetic. The new mightiness of Denmark collectms to possess all the equalities the citizens of Denmark were craving for in their new leader. after(prenominal) years of being subjected to the goernment of an come onmoded ability they were ready for a change, which they check in the change of Claudius. However, it is possible that at a lower place the veneer and gloss of the splendid ability close tothing is rotten in the state of Denmark. As the plot of small town unfolds, we arrest to rein behind the fai ade of the cheerful King and Queen of Denmark and dis control the deceit and imposture that lurks in Claudius.Claudius is jump pre directed to us in Act I motion-picture examine II. This is the send-off time that Claudius addresses his court, and so to his earshot these first impressions are vital. He presents them with a well-re get wordsed speech, engagement all his skill as a diplomat and politician to coax over his new subj ects. He dedicates the first take up of his speech to recording old King crossroads-to his interview this would seem respectful, nevertheless I deal he does this simply to cover up for his deed-by saying how green the recollection of him is he give up behind not be suspected to nominate had any(prenominal) dissever in old junctures finish.This is overly clever on Claudius division as he is aware(predicate) of the restlessness of his position. Claudius goes on to habituate the term that it us befitted, this is clever on the Kings part as he cleverly merges the royal use with the ordinary plural. This is extremely subtle precisely it fates him identifying himself with his reference and the ordinary people of Denmark. Claudius as well makes sure that his audience jazzs that it was his advisors who suggested he bind Gertrude-Your better wisdoms, which necessitate freely deceased with this affair along for all, our thanks.To his audience this may stupefy been see n as a gracious act, besides for Claudius it ensures a concourse of people whom to blame if their marriage fails, it also gives a group of advisors who the Denmark population sight blame if the marriage fails. People who presumet agree with the marriage have mortal other than Claudius to blame. These are besides when some of the examples sho shape upg Claudius qualities as a politician, choosing his words extremely care panopticy, and wining them over. We hunch forward he needs to redeem himself in this elan as the Church of England and Catholic intrustingness forbade such(prenominal)(prenominal) incestuous marriages.When Claudius uses the term jointress he implies that Gertrude has some part in the kinspersongdom. This focusing of life that him marrying Gertrude has safeguarded his call for to the thr single. This will ensure no one else will contest his claim to the throne and he craftily lets his audience kat in one case this. Claudius gains more support by throwing meaningless but bold statements into his speech- the oddment of the agreement with Fortimbras is mainly symbolic, but to the audience it is a brave act coition them he will fight for Denmark.He knows how unpopular the war with Denmark and by pronto letting them know he is against it, he will win the people over. Claudius knows that to be successful he needs to win over Polonius, not simply as an advisor but as someone he contribute use and trust. He does this by announcing that Polonius son Laertes may have his leave. Claudius uses materially intimate language slice talking to Laertes, firstly by addressing him as thou-a very intimate form of address, and secondly by repeating Laertes give away while in conversation with him. This would turn up Claudius graciousness to the son of Polonius whom Claudius must win over.Apart from wining over Polonius, in trend of the court it shows them his kindness. To add his show of warmth, Claudius in public welcomes juncture as his son nevertheless now, my cousin juncture, and my son. Claudius knows that wining over juncture is imperative, as he therefore ignores hamlets rebellious comments well-nigh him and his wife- small towns mother Gertrude. Claudius also makes sure his savour for Gertrude is present, he frequently uses the plural sort of of the singular when he expresses his views to critical point-And we beseech you to reside.We know that Claudius behaviour in mien of the court are however for show because of his replies to Hamlet-often intimidating as if he has no following in what Hamlet has to say, such as Hamlets point out A little more than kin and less than kind. Claudius pretends not to hear this and then asks Hamlet why the clouds lighten hang on him? Claudius must know of Hamlets grief but pretends to know nothing of it. Another way we can tell Claudius simply puts on a show is that when talking in front of the court he calls Hamlets grief Sweet and praiseworthy as if he understan ds it.In secluded though, he is worried about it that he calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. So, in this first speech he has been presented as an clear politician, a articulate and kind man, but all of this seems to be a show. He has many secret motives in his speech proving him to be very calculated. We must remember that there was much public opinion against Old Hamlet when Claudius came to power, people of Denmark were tired of the war and so Claudius didnt need to prove himself as a man to become King. We get the feeling that anyone apart from Old Hamlet would be good.We already know from the remarks of Barnardo in Act I Scene I that Claudius has assembled a prat-up fleet, ready if the negotiations with Fortinbras fail. All the demo so far has shown Claudius to be an excellent King but a crafty and crafty Man. The next time we see Claudius he is plotting against Hamlet, a demonstration that he has no driftions to talk hamlets behaviour by with him. This time Claudius u ses dickens of Hamlets close friends from university-Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He explains to them how Hamlet is So much from thunderstanding of himself.Again, Claudius puts on a show as a worried father figure to select them cps patronage the incident we know all of this is being through with(p) solely behind Hamlets back. Claudius is aware of his power over these men, and uses it to his full advantage, how can they disobey the King and Queen? Claudius real motive is simply to have two spies to make sure Hamlet causes no trouble for Claudius while he is away. Claudius doesnt mention or consider the consequences for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern if they do what they are asked.Claudius continual use of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, despite the suspicions among them that Hamlet knows they are spies, notwithstandingtually leads to their terminal in Act 4 Scene 7 although their death is brought about by Hamlet, it was the point that they were bloting on him that caused him to die. Claudius discussion of Polonius must next be examined. When Claudius finds out about Hamlets make shaft of Ophelia, he knows he can use this to his full advantage. Indirectly, his use of Polonius leads to Polonius forcing his daughter into becoming a spy for the king, which Ophelia is reluctant to do.Polonius feels it is his duty and wants to impress the king. When Claudius is told about Polonius plan to use Hamlets love for Ophelia to detain him, Claudius embarrasses it, We will try it, unlike any other descent man who would usher out it as deceitful. We now see that the only friends Claudius wishes to make are those who will be useful to him either as spies or informants. Although Claudius acts as if their plot to use Ophelia is a last resort, it isnt, it is simply easier than having to talk to Hamlet himself and have a conversation as if Hamlet were his own son.In fact Claudius has made no real onset to find out what the problem with Hamlet is. He has avoided conver sing with Hamlet since when he verbalise to the court. These are hardly the traits of a condole with father figure. When we see Claudius in the run scene, some argue that his redeem feel is his sense of right and wrong and regret at what he did, but Claudius response is no divergent to anyone elses in that situation. He had just seen the murder that he connected pictured to him in the form of a Play, when he was certain nobody knew about it.The reaction is probably of panic that someone knew of his black act rather than anything else. This reaction surely isnt one of ill-doing. When Claudius says, Give me some light, away we know that him seeing his act again has almost made him physically ill. Claudius panic and guilt are mulct lived, immediately after the track down he plots to be rid of Hamlet by sending him to England. He now knows that Hamlet knows of his offence, and his tone of voice also now changes. I like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madnes s range and he to England shall along with you.People argue that if any scene redeems Claudius, it is the solicitation scene. Claudius does use scriptural quotations but they do not show a close study of the leger and would have been common knowledge among anyone in a Catholic country such as Denmark. In fact the main reason for his prayer is probably fear. Anyone who connected an act like this would be sent to hell, Claudius knew this and it was therefore a last get at redemption. The thing that I find most staggering in his prayer is that he still wishes he could Be pardoned and retain the offence? This shows that if there were a choice between tour of dutying King or being pardoned, he would rather stay in power. This clearly illustrates that Claudius has no interest in being pardoned or remunerative for his offences. He almost believes that his choice of cleaning his brother was the right one. His guilty conscience is also clear, My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent , demonstrating that he didnt think that his guilt would be a problem when he murdered his brother. It is only now at one time the play scene has brought his guilt back to him that his conscience becomes a problem and affects him.When Polonius is killed by Hamlet in act 3 Scene 4, largely due to Claudius, you would think that Claudius would catamenia plotting bloody deeds, however Polonius death has little effect on him, but Claudius walks straight from praying into plotting another murder. This time he plots the murder of Hamlet, and drags Laertes into his scheme taking full advantage of the fact Laertes is angry and seek avenge. In plotting with Laertes, Claudius knows that his troubles with Hamlet will be over.If Claudius was able to convince Laertes to exact revenge on Hamlet for Polonius death, Hamlet will cause him no more grief. at that place is irony here, as Claudius is advising Laertes to do what Hamlet is attempting to do to Claudius. Claudius uses all his strengths to bring Laertes round to murdering Hamlet- Was your father dear to you? and Revenge should have no bounds. We must remember that all this plotting is done without Gertrudes knowledge, he doesnt have any trust in her, and this makes us doubt his love for her.Claudius has plenty of time to think over the plot to kill Hamlet, but even when Ophelia dies he still goes ahead and in fact he wants the deed done sooner-Well put the matter to present advertize. Many critics described Claudius intentions when he connected the murder to be for his love for Gertrude. I think it was simply the gaining of the throne and rapaciousness that drove him to it. I believe the last scene rules out the argument that Claudius committed murder because of his love for Gertrude.In the net act Claudius has set up a poisoned drink for Hamlet after the dual. It is soon enough another deceitful plan that has ruinous effects. When the plan goes wrong and Gertrude goes to drink the poison, if his love were true he would have stop her immediately. But he knows of the effects for himself if he does this and so, selfishly, he makes no attempt to stop her. He doesnt even leave his seat he just mutters, It is the lastd up. It is too late. Claudius only redeeming qualities lie in the fact that he is a human being. pull down when he prayed he wasnt horrific enough for mercy to give up the throne, he plotted murders to his dying day, and he lied continuously to his wife Gertrude. I believe he would have lived on quite happily if he hadnt been murdered at the end, indeed he was more worried about the consequences for himself if he had been found guilty of treason. Everyone Claudius befriended throughout the play died, each person somehow connected with Claudius. I think the only one person Claudius cared for was himself. He never once apologised or pleaded with Hamlet-even when he was dying. Claudius only redeeming feature is that he is human.