Hamlet Character Analysis of King Claudius

The character of Claudius the King in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a complex individual. In the play he murders his brother, marries his former sister-in-law (the Queen), and ascends to the throne of Denmark. These three deeds were performed by a shrewd and self-serving man. The King will do almost anything to protect the throne, in spite of knowing that he did not rightfully earn it. He resorts to underhanded tactics such as spying, manipulation, …

…iii, 37 - 40) Claudius attempts to repent but realizes that he can not do so because the throne of Denmark meant more to him than obeying the natural laws of divinity. Claudius was an individual whose greed and selfishness was responsible for his rise and fall from the throne of Denmark. The power and position that he tried so hard to maintain was ultimately destroyed by the same evil methods that he used to acquire them.