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Brooke Gibson

Mrs. Jewell

ERWC: Period 3

March 17, 2022

The Backstabbing King

In every well-rounded story, there should be a protagonist and an antagonist. The role of

the antagonist plays a very important part in developing the plot. This role not only moves along

the plotline, but challenges the other characters; especially the protagonist. The antagonist

creates conflict and opposes the main character. Due to the recent passing of the late Hamlet,

Cladius has swindled the position of king. Claudius has also replaced young Hamlet's father by

marrying his mother. In Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Claudius’ role influences Hamlet's

character by creating conflict and challenging him.

Claudius strategically presents himself in a certain way to people. In Act 1, Scene 2

Claudius addresses the people about the late Hamlet's death in a speech:

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brothers 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 wisest sorrow think on him (1.2.1-6)

Claudius shows remorse for the death of his brother. Moreover, he urges the people to come

together and grieve. Ultimately, by showing his own grief, he is able to connect to the people and
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bring them together. He then goes on to talk about his plans moving forward with Fortinbras.

This makes Claudius come across as confident and organized. However, this is completely

intentional in order to build the trust of the people. While everyone else buys into his “act,”

Hamlet remains unconvinced of his uncle's intentions.

Since the late Hamlet's death, young Hamlet is racked with grief. Claudius and Gertrude

urged Hamlet to move along his grieving process:

And with no less nobility of love

Than that which dearest father bears his son

Do I impart toward you. For your intent

In going back to school in Wittenberg, it is most retrograde to our desire,

And we beseech you, bend you to remain

Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,

Our chiefest courtier, cousin, and our son. (1.2.114-121)

Claudius urges Hamlet to move forward with his grief. He also wants Hamlet to not go to school,

since he is closest to the throne. This illustrates Claudius’ controlling and selfish nature. Gertrude

even seems to be going along with what Claudius says. Claudius acknowledges how Hamlet is

next in line to the throne. Ironically, Hamlet should rightfully be on the throne, not Claudius.

Claudius stole the throne from Hamlet and offset The Great Chain of Being; along with Hamlet's

“destiny.” Claudius tells Hamlet he needs to stop grieving, which causes Hamlet to become

hostile. Consequently, these words are not healthy for Hamlet and cause him to keep his

emotions bottled up. This action influences Hamlet's inevitable “rebellion.”

After the late Hamlet's death, Claudius hastily married Gertrude. This caused Hamlet to

become disgusted with his Mother:

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My Fathers brother, but no more like my father

Than I to Hercules. Within a month

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,

She married O’ most wicked speed, to boat

With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! (1.2.156-162)

Hamlet is filled with rage and disbelief. Due to the hastiness of the marriage and it being to

Hamlet's uncle, he is outraged. This causes a rift between Hamlet and his Mother. He also

compares himself to the opposite of Hercules. Hercules in Greek mythology is known for his

strength. This illustrates just how low Hamlet's self image of himself is. Hamlet makes this

statement in order to further prove that Claudius will never replace his father. This comparison

conveys just how opposing Claudius and Hamlet's characters are.

Claudius creates conflict and influences Hamlet to become unbalanced. Claudius’ main

role is to challenge Hamlet. If we compare their characteristics Hamlet is cautious, insecure and

philosophical; however, Claudius is confident, outspoken and persistent. Claudius continues to

create imbalance in Hamlet's life. He even goes as far as to replace his father by marrying his

mother. Claudius’ characteristics oppose Hamlet in every way. Furthermore, he challenges

Hamlet in a way that he will never compare to Claudius. This causes Hamlet to have internal

conflict.
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Works Cited

1. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2012.