With masterful economy and grace, the deceased King’s brother in Hamlet schemes his way into the acceptance of his newly acquired people. The character Claudius is shown to the audience as a self-involved, deceitful brother, lacking a conscience, who manipulates situations for the better of himself. He first makes an appearance in Act 1, Scene 2 with a drawn out speech to his court, attempting to disguise the actualities of King Hamlet’s death and the …showed first 75 words of 563 total…

…showed last 75 words of 563 total…actually retain the integrity in his character that the people believe he has, but his cleverness allows him to beguile any thoughts of doubt they may have. Claudius steps into the role that his country wants him to play, diminishing the worst of their fears by executing his political duty. They accept him even though he glimpses at being immoral, for overall it looks as if he exists to be a competent leader. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**