madness, but it is Claudius how had set all these things in motion with the initial murder. In Act 1 Scene 2 Claudius gives Hamlet a speech to try and get him to stop bringing up his father, probably fearing that the more the late King was talked about, or remembered, the more likely people were to look into his death. Claudius continues to talk about the harm of delay, saying “ And hath abatements and delay as many As there are tongues, are hands are accidents; And then this should is like a spendthrift sigh, That hurts by easing.”(4.7.121-124). ISSN: 2153-5760. David Bevington. With this, he tells Laertes to go ask his friends for their opinion on this situation, which goes back to Polonius' words of advice to Laertes when he was leaving for France after King Hamlet 's death in Act 1, scene 3. Claudius doesn’t immediately blame Hamlet for Polonius’s murder, suggesting that Claudius doesn’t necessarily want to provoke Laertes to seek revenge on the prince. The Relationship Between Fathers and Sons in Shakespeare, Chaos and Dissimulation in Ian McEwan's Modern Retelling of Hamlet, Polysemic Language, Democratization, and the Empowerment of the Body Politic in Shakespeare's, Female Norms and the Patriarchal Power Structure in Shakespeare's, How Now, Hecate? King Claudius (also simply known as Claudius, but only directly referred to as The King in the play) is the main antagonist of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet and its film adaptations. When Laertes says that he would "cut [Hamlet's] throat i' th' church," Claudius agrees that there should be no place where Hamlet, a murderer, should find refuge; he says, "Revenge should have no bounds" (4.7.127,129). The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Tragedies, Material Nostalgia in Classical and Early Modern Drama, The Development of the Modern Author in Horace Walpole's, Reading Religion in Literature: Toni Morrison, Luisah Teish, and Postsecular Theory, Courtly Love in Chaucer: Characters as Commentary in "The Franklin's Tale,", The Subversion of Conventional Charisma in John Milton's, Resurrecting the Bog Queen: Exploring the Gender Politics of Ireland's Bogs in Postcolonial and Nationalist Literature, Exploring the Concept of Time Using Metaphor in. Claudius lures Laertes into his plot to get rid of Hamlet and by making Laertes an ally against Hamlet, Claudius also is trying to protect his crown from Laertes himself. After all, it is she who convinces Hamlet not to go Wittenberg, showing how well Claudius is able to manipulate people, even the ones he claims to love. Claudius speech to Laertes, in light of this news, is very off the cuff, clearly lacking in preparation in comparison to his speech to Hamlet on mourning for fathers. Line 113 also uses alliteration, using “passages of proof” to draw your attention to the image that follows, that of a candle. Claudius is undoubtedly considered the main villain in Hamlet, due to the murder of the King. "Hamlet." King Claudius' Manipulation of Laertes King Claudius uses deliberate language and tone in order to manipulate Laertes into gearing all of his anger and rage towards Hamlet. He tells Laertes he sent Hamlet away because of Gertrude's love for Hamlet (and because he couldn't outright accuse Hamlet because he is beloved by the people.) In fact though, it is his conscience that makes Claudius such a complex villain. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. He also reminds him of how Hamlet killed his father, and asks whether Laertes loved Polonius enough to desire revenge. Hamlet also indirectly caused Ophelia's insanity, Log in here. Claudius's role in his brother's poisoning becomes conspicuous when he suggests Laertes poison his nephew, Hamlet. King Claudius, as seen in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is both intelligent and well-spoken, two traits that, put together, complement his manipulative and dangerous nature. He is trying to get Hamlet to move forward, away from his father’s death. His actions after his initial villainous crime are representations of his ability to manipulate, showing his intelligence rather than his villainy. This is why Claudius wants Laertes to act as soon as possible, when his feelings are fresh and raw. Claudius manipulates Laertes and convinces him to have a duel with Hamlet. Claudius plays on Laertes' want for paternal affection by saying things such as "I must commune your grief". But Ophelia says, “Nay, tis’ twice two months, my lord”,(3.2.126). Available: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=150. Despite his rise to power seeming to have been carefully planned and executed, he nevertheless encountered certain things that he did not expect, such as the appearance of the ghost of his victim that ignited Hamlet‘s thirst for revenge. Hamlet had probably been lamenting his father’s death for quite some time now, so Claudius had ample time to compose the speech. Paired with Hamlet’s apparent madness, he easily sways them into doing his bidding by feeding them incorrect information, thus influencing their decisions and actions. As shown in his prayer scene in Act III, Claudius has a Christian conscience even if he is incapable of satisfying it. Disclaimer: content on this website is for informational purposes only. By stirring up Laertes's feelings of loyalty for his father and his anger toward Hamlet, Claudius attempts to rid himself of Hamlet without having to get his own hands dirty. Early in the play, Claudius tries to shame Hamlet for Hamlet's continued grief over the death of his father. Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize the mores and norms of the society they live in. It's a pretty ironic statement given the fact that Hamlet seeks revenge on Claudius for the death of Hamlet's own father! Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. The length of his speech to Hamlet also helps to obscure what he is saying, where as he is very clear and to the point with Laertes. In the play, Hamlet is introduced as a troubled man in deep depression. Claudius begis by praising Laertes' skills in fencing. A particularly powerful sense of nostalgia concentrates in textiles, especially when these objects purposefully invoke the past. He calls Hamlet "unmanly" for his overly developed loyalty and too-deep mourning. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Claudius thus uses this opportunity to manipulate Laertes when he is at his lowest point. However, Shakespeare has made his character a lot more nuanced. He brings the question of time up to Ophelia beforehand, “For look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within’s two hours”(3.2. There within the very flame of love A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it,”(4.7.114-116) alluding to the idea that over time a candles wick will burn down, as well as Laertes feelings for his father. Also because of his immediate want for revenge, Laertes is easily drawn into the manipulation of Claudius. This means that if he waits long enough, he probably won’t do anything at all, bringing to question whether he really loves his father. Deception can be evident in the starting act in the play. Laertes is extremely vulnerable due to his fragile and malleable state of mind that resulted from the death of his beloved father. Hamlet portrays himself as someone who detests is situated, corruption, and deceit. Readers are lead to believe he is having some one else do the dirty work to save the Queen’s feelings, but I think it had just as much to do with politics. Claudius speaks of his plot to kill Hamlet and Laertes agrees to take part. During the play Claudius used his skillful use of words to get Laertes to kill Hamlet. While this speech is given to Hamlet, it is for the benefit of Gertrude, who is instrumental in handling the emotional Hamlet. Instead, it will be plenty sharp. Horatio, Claudius, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Fortinbras, and Laertes are all together manipulating the other person as well as Hamlet. It is noticeably shorter than his speech to Hamlet, giving Laertes less time to mull over what was being said. Ultimately, Claudius was successful in his plan to kill Hamlet, not due to some master workings of his own doing, but because of his ability to manipulate events according to his own desires. Home | Current Issue | Blog | Archives | For one, Polonius is very manipulative, and this trait is shown through the relationship with his children. - Claudius is asking if Laertes still loves his father to further convince him that he should act in the moment before the motivation dies. This made him more likely to act, and rashly at that. Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go "to a nunnery," and what does he give as his reason? King Claudius seals the deal by saying, “let the great axe fall.” This resembles the justice that should fall on Hamlet. - Claudius flatters Laertes and manipulates him by pinning all of the blame on Hamlet - Focuses revenge on Hamlet for Laertes to avenge Polonius' death and makes Hamlet seem to be the cause of Ophelia's madness from her father's death - the plan: Laertes proposes to poison his sword, so that even a scratch from it will kill Hamlet. Already a member? Interesting that the choice of murder weapon, once more is poison, as this is the way he killed his brother Hamlet originally. But it isn’t until later that we find out that the ghost isn’t in heaven at all, instead suffering in “sulf’rous and tormenting flames”(1.5.3). Ed. Instead of punishing Hamlet for Polonius’ murder himself, Claudius sent the prince to England alongside Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with letters that would arrange Hamlet’s death, making it look like an accident. Laertes, meantime, in revenging his father's death, has come to resemble not only the young Fortinbras but also the young Hamlet. Claudius manipulates the young man's sense of nobility and emotional state for his own projected ends. He then convinces Hamlet that his grief “shows a will most incorrect to heaven.”(1.2.95), meaning that he should instead be happy for his father, for he is now in heaven. King Claudius, as seen in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is both intelligent and well-spoken, two traits that, put together, complement his manipulative and dangerous nature. Despite the remorse shown in act 3 scene 3 when Claudius prays for forgiveness, he still wants Hamlet dead because he fears losing both his throne and his life. Is he insinuating that him taking too much time to think about it could lead to sickness? It is through this process that the established social order is perpetuated. He was mourning the death of his beloved father and his mother’s marriage to his uncle. This argument is supported by a possible interpretation… Polonius,Laertes,Ophelia and the Queen all killed under Claudius’s manipulation and scheme. Claudius lures Laertes into his plot to get rid of Hamlet and by making Laertes an ally against Hamlet, Claudius also is trying to protect his crown from Laertes himself. Claudius stirs up Laertes's feelings of loyalty to his father, stoking his anger and implying that Laertes isn't really a good son unless he is willing to do more than just talk about his loyalty or his new feelings of ill-will toward Hamlet. Claudius’ manipulation takes advantage of surrounding characters’ affection for Hamlet. Print. Claudius being opportunistic, finds yet another way to avoid killing Hamlet himself in Laertes. Finally, he finishes his speech by asking Laertes what he plans to do about the death of his father, “What would you undertake to show yourself in deed your father’s son more than in words(4.7.125-127)? N.p. Why didn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he had the chance at the end of act 3, scene 3? Meanwhile, Laertes has returned from France to find that his father, Polonius, has been murdered. He would prefer it is Laertes acted while his feelings of hatred and revenge were still fresh, whereas it would be preferable if Hamlet be quiet about his father instead of keeping his memory fresh in everyone’s minds. D) Claudius asks Laertes if he loved Polonius beginning in line 126. In Act IV of Hamlet, Laertes returns home to Elsinore and discovers that his father was murdered by the supposedly-mad Prince Hamlet. He is prodding Laertes to show his loyalty to his father with more than words, by going after the man responsible for his father's death: Hamlet. Caring would mitigate his evil and add to the paradox inherent in his character. A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it”(4.7.114-116). He manipulates Laertes in the way that he explains that if he was sane, he would not have killed Polonius. © 2021 Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse LLC. Get an answer to your question “How did King Claudius manipulate Laertes when conving him to kill Prince Hamlet? Near the end of the play, Claudius manipulates Laertes into a duel with Hamlet, so that he can murder Hamlet without suspicion when he says, But you content to lend your patience to us,/And we shall jointly labor with your soul/To give it due content. While Hamlet is indeed guilty of stabbing Polonius and hiding the body, it was Claudius' scheming that put Polonius behind the arras. E) How does Claudius use words to manipulate Laertes? About The Journal | Submissions Polonius turns out to be a deceiver, manipulating his daughter and sending someone to spy on his son and sabotage his name just to reveal his character! After hearing about his father’s murder Hamlets sadness quickly turns into anger, and he plots the revenge that he feels his father deserves. Laertes is extremely vulnerable due to his fragile and malleable state of mind that resulted from the death of his beloved father. Claudius begins his speech saying, “’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father“, but that he “must know your father lost a father, That father lost, lost his.”(1.2.87-89) But he insults Hamlet, adding “’Tis unmanly grief.”(1.2.94) This is the opposite of what Claudius says to Laertes later in the play, where he says that he should act quickly. In my opinion the quotes you used to describe Polonius' character really highlights his true nature especially this quote “Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth.” (2.1.69). Are you a teacher? "The Manipulative Nature of Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet." Ophelia's brother Laertes: Hamlet knows he must manipulate Laertes to avoid being killed by him. The Manipulative Nature of Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse, 2(02). His speech was also more direct, intended only for Laertes, whereas his speech to Hamlet was also for Gertrude’s benefit. It is understandable that he wanted Hamlet to move on quickly. Claudius then offers Laertes a dishonorable and sneaky way to avenge his father: by proposing a duel between Laertes and Hamlet and then allowing Laertes to use a blade that has not been blunted for safety. “Time qualifies the spark and fire of it. The Manipulative Nature of Claudius in Shakespeare's. It also allows Claudius to make Laertes feel that he is on his side. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes is ready to rush to his revenge, but Claudius is easily able to manipulate him and Laertes ends up begging forgiveness from the man he wanted to murder. Top subjects are Literature, History, and Arts. The use of an infinitive also lends an emotionless aspect to his words, saying get over it, I already have. Shakespeare, William. Save Citation »  (Works with EndNote, ProCite, & Reference Manager), B, N. (2010). Claudius struts for Laertes in this scene, but, if we believe what he says, he also demonstrates his ability to care. Dramatic irony in what he says to Laertes after Polonius' death despite the fact we know he is guilty from the soliloquy. Retrieved from http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=150, B, N. "The Manipulative Nature of Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet." Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 2.02 (2010). Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. Going on, Claudius says “Time qualifies the spark and fire of it. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse [Online], 2. King Claudius appears to be an honest, noble king, but in reality he is King Hamlet’s murderer and a manipulative ruler. Claudius’ sneaky and manipulative ways eventually lead to the death of Polonius at Hamlet’s hands. Claudius lures Laertes into his plot to get rid of Hamlet and by making Laertes an ally against Hamlet, Claudius also is trying to protect his crown from Laertes himself. King Claudius convinces Laertes that Hamlet is responsible for his father's death. All rights reserved. For what purpose? Claudius’ plans fall apart when Hamlet alters the letters himself, having Rosencrantz and Guildenstern executed in his place. Maybe it pertains to the next few lines, where Claudius “Dies in his own too much. Claudius speaks of his plot to kill Hamlet and Laertes agrees to take part. When Laertes returns to Denmark, he seeks vengeance for the death of his father, Polonius. Hamlet and Laertes exhibit commanding attitudes towards females, especially Ophelia and Gertrude. The newsletter highlights recent selections from the journal and useful tips from our blog. 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