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How Does Shakespeare Manipulate Claudius

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Hamlet
In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, Claudius deceives King Hamlet and ultimately kills King Hamlet to replace King Hamlet’s position as the King of Denmark. The murder was intentional, with all the causes due to Claudius’s actions being overwhelmingly ambitious and his desire for power. Shakespeare uses symbols, dramatic irony, and metaphors to illustrate Claudius’s ambitions to gain power, ultimately portraying deception. Claudius has a burning desire to control and rule Denmark. When King Hamlet was alive, Claudius was overshadowed and lived in his brother's shadow. He feels overlooked and undervalued, leading to a sense of resentment and a burning ambition to ascend the throne. Furthermore, Claudius is motivated by his desire for Gertrude, …show more content…

When King Hamlet came back from the dead, turning into the “Ghost” and returned to seek Hamlet for his help for revenge, the Ghost was a symbol for the victory of evil. Although the Ghost was not in the play for very long, it is a significant character that introduces the antagonist. The Ghost states that he was killed by Claudius with poison. Poison is a symbol that Shakespear uses to portray manipulation, madness, vengeance, and ambitions for power in Claudius. Poison portrays deception, and Claudius’s intention to murder King Hamlet. The use of deception allows Shakespeare to explore broader societal issues. By depicting a corrupt court filled with deception and manipulation, the play offers a critique of the political and social structures of the time. It raises questions about the legitimacy of power, the morality of rulers, and the consequences of unchecked …show more content…

The Ghost compares Claudius to a poisonous snake who bit him and then took over as king after his death. He states “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown. (I.v.39-40)”. What the Ghost states is evidence that Claudius has carried out a crime to fulfill his ambitions for power. The web of lies spun by various characters results in misunderstandings, betrayal, and ultimately, a series of disastrous consequences. The famous quote “To be, or not to be?” followed by “That is the question—Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them? (III.i.57–61)” is written by Shakespeare, which reflects Hamlet's contemplation of life's hardships and the moral dilemma of whether it is better to endure suffering passively or to actively confront and overcome the

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