Claudius Flashcards
Worry/Guilt
C sending H to England
He shall with speed to England”
Trying to rid Hamlet and assert control – sees him as a threat, using his newfound power as King and father to assert authority.
Worry/Guilt
C telling R and G that H is not safe to stay in court.
“I like him not, nor stands it safe with us to let his madness range”
Appeals to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Worry/Guilt
C confusion at H letter
‘What should this mean? Are all the rest come back? Or is it some abuse, and no such thing?’
Confusion at Hamlet’s letter – they are both playing the same game.
Worry/Guilt
smell of C’s offence
“O my offence is rank, it smells to heaven”
Admitting/recognising his sin.
Worry/Guilt
flying words
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below/ Words without thoughts never to heaven go”
Humanity is exposed/enjoys power and doesn’t want to be exposed/cannot appeal to God
Worry/Guilt
C appealing to God/ to divinity
‘Help, angels!’
Appealing (unsuccessfully) for divine guidance
Cleverness/Shrewdness
C about how H does not really love.
“Love? His affections do not way tend”
Cleverness/Shrewdness
sword sharpened
PLAN A: “You may choose a sword unbated” (sharpened sword)
Cleverness/Shrewdness
L plan to poison the end of sword
PLAN B: “I’ll anoint my sword” (poisoned sword)
Cleverness/Shrewdness
C plans to poison the wine to ensure the death of H.
PLAN C: “A Chalice for the nonce” “If he by chance escape your venomed stuck, our purpose may hold there” (poisoned cup)
Claudius is anticipating Hamlet’s behaviour – he knows he is competitive against Laertes and will be keen to prove himself.
Cleverness/Shrewdness
C realising that although H words a little disorganised, he is not mad.
“what he spake…was not like madness”
C’s love for his possessions such as crown and queen.
“my crown, mine own ambition and my queen”
Expresses his love for Gertrude but in such an order that it suggests a hierarchy, with his selfish nature being exposed.
C feels like G is part of his inner being.
“she is so conjunctive to my life and soul”
Dependence on Gertrude – her love or her title?
