Elle Morgen

Eng 102-11

Essay #3 Hamlet

5-01-06

One May Smile And Be a Villain

The most notorious quote from "Hamlet" begins: "To be or not to be…that is the question…" but underneath such a "question" lies darker depths that should be sought. Depths that encompass central conflict and a character's true level of corruption and immorality.

(Q.4) The central conflict of the play lies within Hamlet, himself. He loved his father—the evidence being in his constant mournful state or his "unmanly grief" as Claudius teased and his reaction upon his father's spirit's words—and so he wanted to avenge his father's injustice (murder). He felt obligated and bound to take it upon himself to set it straight. " O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right."

The conflict in himself was to be righteous in his actions and set forth a wave of right doing throughout Denmark. A sort of purging of villainous actions (really people) to set Denmark and maybe the world, at right again.

(Q.1) The proved master of all this being Claudius, his uncle, king of Denmark. He committed a "murder most foul," while seeming to have a faith in God. He poisoned his own brother, his own flesh and blood, his very family, in order to succeed the throne and be with the queen. He is a horrible ruler, his reign being like "things rank and gross in nature."

He is a manipulative man, purely evil than a flawed human being, as he wormed his way into queen Gertrude's heart. Claudius is called "incestuous," "adulterate beast," and "with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts…that have the power so to seduce…" He is also referred to as a "serpent."

Claudius is a man who seeks ultimate power. Even with his acclaimed faith, he goes as far as practically renouncing God and taking his role in the monarchy into his own hands. Claudius's unmitigated rancor is revealed moreover uncovered and the "yet unknowing world" is told: "How things came about…of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts; and, in this upshot, purposes mistook fall'n on th' inventors' heads." Thus, Claudius, king of Denmark, is purely an evil man, and could not be considered a tragic hero but rather the villain.