The Effects of Regicide in Hamlet - 906 Words

In many cases, the government often reflects on how the country fares. A free democracy has a better quality of life that a totalitarian regime. When a tyrant seizes power, the people resent him and fight, taking away that power, and plunging the country into anarchy. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a manipulative politician named Claudius kills his brother, King Hamlet, to ascend to the throne. This evil disrupts the natural order of the monarchy and spreads through the country. In the end, chaos, corruption and rot is the result of the murder of the Danish king by Claudius, which ultimately causes the downfall of Hamlet, the Royal Family, and Denmark. Prince Hamlet, son of the dead king and nephew of the usurper, is a popular and well-regarded†¦show more content†¦His reputation in the eyes of the audience declines further, when he orders the death of the unaware spies who were his childhood friends, and explains his attack to Polonius’ son as a product of his false madness: â€Å"Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged; / His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.† (V.ii.252-253) The wretched circumstances that Claudius introduces corrupt the noble and loved prince into an apathetic misogynist. Claudius’ actions also cause chaos in the Royal Family. King Hamlet is regarded as a â€Å"valiant† (I.i.96) and â€Å"esteemed† (I.i.97) warrior who defeated Fortinbras and conquered Norway. He is â€Å"Hyperion to a satyr,† (I.ii.144) when compared to Claudius. Claudius is seen as an â€Å"adulterate beast† (I.v.49) whose drinking makes other nations see Denmark as full of â€Å"drunkards† (I.iv.21). His skills lie in deception and manipulation, rather than ruling a country. He is foolish in letting young Fortinbras pass through after nearly attacking Denmark, and is weak when faced with danger. Following the death of Polonius, his first thought is â€Å"it had been so with us had we been there.† (IV.i.14) Also, his reliance on others, like Laertes, Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, is shown when Hamlet attacks: â€Å"O, yet defend me, friends!† (V.ii.355) His thirst for power is so great he cannot give up the queen and throne, even when his guilt is strong. This queen is also corrupted, as she was â€Å"seeming virtuous† (I.v.53) but loses allShow MoreRelated The Character of Claudius in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay805 Words   |  4 PagesThe Character of Claudius in Hamlet As a supporting character in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Claudius is not developed to his full potential. 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