Taking Risks In Hamlet

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Recommended: The character of Claudius in Hamlet

To take risks or not to take risks this is the question. How involved are these risks in your life? Many characters in the play Hamlet took risks. Some dive right in and challenge those risks like the character Claudius, while others hesitate like the character Hamlet, and finally, some step back from risks like the character Horatio. Claudius is one of the characters in the play that did not step away from taking risks. The most significant risk that Claudius takes is killing the King of Denmark, his brother, Hamlet. The ghost tells the story of how he is killed; Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment, whose effect Holds such an enmity with blood of man That swift as quicksilver it courses through The …show more content…

“ If by direct or by collateral hand/They find us touched, we will our kingdom give,/Our crown, our life, and all that we can ours,/To you in satisfaction” (4.5.203-206). Claudius recognizes that he killed the King Hamlet, but is confident enough nobody will prove it. This risk is lethal because, when someone has the evidence that he killed Hamlet, Claudius has to do as he promised. Hamlet does not dive straight into risk taking and takes time to think through the problem, unlike Claudius. Hamlet enjoys taking risks, but also has to be put back on track or hesitates before doing. Hamlet questions whether the ghost of his father is telling the truth and plots to get a confession before he takes action. “And much offense too. Touching this vision here,/It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you./For your desire to know what is between us,/O’ermaster ’t as you may” (1.5.140-143). He would rather be sure of his mission before telling his friends. This shows that he does not plunge right into risk taking and cares to give

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