Shakespeares Hamlet Essays: Claudius - Guilty or Innocent? :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Claudius Guilty or Innocent? William Shakespeares Hamlet is a tend that tells of a young man, Hamlet, who wanted revenge for the death of his father. After speaking with his fathers spirit, Hamlet was led to believe that the person who murdered his father was his uncle, Claudius. Claudius kills his brother mainly because of jealousy, the crown, the queen and a hatred of his brother. Therefore Claudius is guilty of the murder of his brother. Claudius killed his brothe mainly because,he was jealous that his brother had it made. He had his soil, a beautiful queen(Queen Gertrude),and his son(Prince Hamlet) which wouldve taken over the kingdom when he died except Claudius, his own brother, killed him. We can fancy proof of Claudiuss jealousy when Claudius hands Cornelius and Voltemand a piece of paper. In addition, Claudius says, Though only of Hamlet our approximate brothers death the memory be green, and that it us befitted to bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom to b e contracted in one brow of woe, yet so far hath discretion fought with nature that we with remembrance of ourselves(pg.21). Right there hes saying that his brothers death in memory be green, meaning maybe the jealous monster of jealousy. He couldnt stand to see his brother happy so he decided to kill him. Claudius feels guilty about killing his brother. We can see Claudiuss remorse when he is talking to God and gives his monologue about his his murder. Therefore, Claudius says, My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent(pg.165). This quote proves that Claudius realizes that he made a mistake and he also realizes that he cannot put everything behind him as mich as he wants to. Everything reminds him about his brother, the kingdom, the queen and the crown. Claudius is not better off now that he has killed queer Hamlet. We can see proof of this when Claudius is giving his monologue. Claudius says, Forgive me my foul murder? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murderMy crown, exploit own ambition, and my queen(pg.