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How Did Hamlet Kill Claudius

Decent Essays

Morality fuels people’s actions both consciously and subconsciously. Those that are fueled by a virtuous morals tend to act more positively whereas those who are fueled by vice, tend to lead more vengeful lives. Hamlet and Claudius are prime examples of characters that develop through virtue and vice. Though Hamlet’s desire to kill Claudius is fueled by seeking revenge for his father’s murder, his reason is a positive one that will benefit his kingdom in the long run. Claudius on the other hand, seeks power solely for personal gain and will stop at nothing to secure his position. Hamlet and Claudius’ different moral views and actions serve as foils for each character’s development because Claudius wanted the throne for personal gain, Hamlet …show more content…

At the end of Act I, Hamlet learns that his father was killed by Claudius because he wanted the throne and his wife. Hamlet on the other hand wanted to be king to honor his father and to be a good ruler. Claudius had shown his only motive was to stay king by trying to have Hamlet killed in England. It is only after Hamlet is consistently reminded of his revenge he acts upon it; “Do not forget! This visitation / Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose” (3.4.110–11). Writer, Kiernan Ryan, states that the true tragedy of the book comes because of Hamlet’s slow actions as opposed to Claudius’ foil to act quick upon desire; “What’s wrong with all these attempts to account for Hamlet’s delay – including Hamlet’s own conjectures – is the same fundamental misconception” (Ryan). However, by Hamlet having such a delay it causes the reader to feel more related to the character. The toll of the death of a loved one could cause all movement in one’s life to come to a halt. Claudius having such animal instincts to desire the throne so bad is what causes another foil of the book. Because of Claudius’ actions, the middle arc of the story is about Hamlet and his mission of

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