How Does Claudius's Quest To Obtain Power In Hamlet

To conclude the character that had the most influence on the occurrence of the tragedies within Hamlet is Claudius, and his quest to obtain power. The murder of King Hamlet at the hands of Claudius could be pointed to as the most important part of the play Hamlet. If that event did not occur, then a large majority of the play would not have happened, for instance the Ghost would not have appeared, and Hamlet would have no desire to kill Claudius. John W. Draper included this line in his paper which dissected Claudius as a character, “each antagonist seeks the other’s death, Hamlet for revenge, and Claudius to save himself from vengeance” (Draper, 2018, p. 3). Essentially without the murder of King Hamlet there would be no drive for either of

But two months dead—nay, not so much, not two. So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr. So loving to my mother” (1.2.137-140). It is clear to see that Hamlet has quite a negative view on the marriage between his mother, and Claudius. He compares Claudius to a satyr, and complains that the marriage was too sudden. Perhaps if Claudius had waited a longer period of time before marrying Gertrude he could have avoided starting off on the wrong foot with Hamlet, and Hamlet would have not have been so eager to seek vengeance upon him from the beginning of the play. Claudius, and his mission to maintain a good public image was a fatal mistake. After Hamlet had murdered Polonius, Claudius considered putting an end to Hamlet’s actions, but didn't as he worried about the public's opinion. “Yet must not we put the strong law on him. He’s loved of the distracted multitude, Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes.” (4.3.3-5). Claudius was aware that Hamlet was loved by the people, and he did not want the public to believe he was the one persecuting their beloved prince. This resulted in Claudius devising a plan to send Hamlet to England, so he would not be the one to put an end to