Character Analysis: Claudius

1. "With an auspicious and a dropping eye, with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, in equal scale weighing delight and dole—Taken to wife." (I.2.11-14)

This quote expresses, indirectly, Claudius' reason for the quickness of him being betrothed to the queen, a new widow. Claudius only wants to be king for the royalty of it, as well as having a pleasure mate in the queen. Claudius' true motives are very distorted and perverted from the start.

2. "Give me some light, away!" (III.2.269)

Claudius is frightened by the play that Hamlet is playing for the King and Queen. He quickly asks for the lights to be turned on and he hurrily leaves the play room. This shows that Claudius knows that Hamlet knows about how he killed Hamlet's father.

3. "What if this cursèd hand were thicker than itself with brother’s blood? Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy but to confront the visage of offence? And what’s in prayer but this twofold force, To be forestallèd ere we come to fall 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"? 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. May one be pardoned and retain th' offense?" (III.3.43-52)

Claudius now is thinking about the sin he committed by killing his own brother. He does want to be forgiven; however, he feels as though he cannot be forgiven because he does not want to give up the throne, his queen, and his own pride for righteousness. He is too in love with the affects of his wickedness to ask for foregiveness. This shows the awful mindset of pride and selfishness that Claudius seems to maintain throughtout the play.

4. "To bear all smooth and even, this sudden sending him away must seem deliberate pause. Diseases desperate grown by desperate appliance are relieved, or not at all." (IV.3.7-11)

Claudius wants Hamlet to go to England so that he does not ruin anything for him (Claudius). Therefore, he tells the court to make it seem like the plan for Hamlet to go to England was long and thought out, when in reality it was a hasty and quick decision. This just goes on to show how Claudius is trying to use deceit and falsehood to get rid of Hamlet. Evil will not prevail for long.

5. "O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt." (V.2.324)

The King has just been stabbed by Hamlet, and these are his dying, last words. Even though he is about to die, he still does not have a repentant spirit and actually is still looking for others to accomodate to his desires. All he cares about when he dies is himself, and that is how he is forever remembered; as a selfish, wicked man.