Shakespeare's Hamlet Essays: Claudius - Guilty or Innocent?

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Claudius: Guilty or Innocent?

William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play that tells of a young man, Hamlet, who wanted revenge for the death of his father. After speaking with his father's spirit, Hamlet was led to believe that the person who murdered his father was his uncle, Claudius. Claudius kills his brother mainly because of jealousy, the crown, the queen and a hatred of his brother. Therefore Claudius is guilty of the murder of his brother.

Claudius killed his brothe mainly because,he was jealous that his brother had it made. He had his kingdom, a beautiful queen(Queen Gertrude),and his son(Prince Hamlet) which would've taken over the kingdom when he died except Claudius, his own brother, killed him. We can see proof of Claudius's jealousy when Claudius hands Cornelius and Voltemand a piece of paper. In addition, Claudius says, "Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death the memory be green, and that it us befitted to bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom to be contracted in one brow of woe, yet so far hath discretion fought with nature that we with remembrance of ourselves(pg.21)." Right there he's saying that his brother's death in memory be green, meaning maybe the green-eyed monster of jealousy. He couldn't stand to see his brother happy so he decided to kill him.

Claudius feels guilty about killing his brother. We can see Claudius;s remorse when he is talking to God and gives his monologue about his his murder. Therefore, Claudius says, "My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent(pg.165)." This quote proves that Claudius realizes that he made a mistake and he also realizes that he cannot put everything behind him as mich as he wants to. Everything reminds him about his brother, the kingdom, the queen and the crown.

Claudius is not better off now that he has killed King Hamlet. We can see proof of this when Claudius is giving his monologue. Claudius says, "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(pg.

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