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| Character | King Claudius | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Speech | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Tragedy | |
| Description | King Claudius addresses his court | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 2 | |
Summary
The play is set in Denmark at the Elsinore Castle. In the first scene of the play two watchmen, Bernardo and Marcellus, together with Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend, witness the apparition of a ghost that they believe is the ghost of the recently deceased King Hamlet. Horatio argues that this apparition has a meaning, that is some misfortune is about to happen in Denmark. Horatio explains what he thinks is about to happen in Denmark, that is the army of Norway, led by Prince Fortinbras, will soon attack them. King Hamlet, he explains, had killed Fortinbras of Norway, defeated his army and won his lands. Now he thinks his son will seek revenge and attack them, which is why they are working as watchmen in the first place.
The second scene of ACT I starts with a monologue from the newly appointed King of Denmark, King Claudius, King Hamlet's brother. He explains that even if he is saddened by his brother's death, he has decided to marry Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, to bring some happiness to Denmark in this time of mourning. He talks about a letter he received from Prince Fortinbras asking for his lands back. The king tells the court that he has sent two of his men to talk to the Prince's uncle, who is more likely to reach an agreement on the matter.
The second scene of ACT I starts with a monologue from the newly appointed King of Denmark, King Claudius, King Hamlet's brother. He explains that even if he is saddened by his brother's death, he has decided to marry Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, to bring some happiness to Denmark in this time of mourning. He talks about a letter he received from Prince Fortinbras asking for his lands back. The king tells the court that he has sent two of his men to talk to the Prince's uncle, who is more likely to reach an agreement on the matter.
Written by Administrator
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| KING CLAUDIUS Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe, Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him, Together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, The imperial jointress to this warlike state, Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,-- With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole,-- Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone With this affair along. For all, our thanks. Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras, Holding a weak supposal of our worth, Or thinking by our late dear brother's death Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, Colleagued with the dream of his advantage, He hath not fail'd to pester us with message, Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father, with all bonds of law, To our most valiant brother. So much for him. Now for ourself and for this time of meeting: Thus much the business is: we have here writ To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,-- Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears Of this his nephew's purpose,--to suppress His further gait herein; in that the levies, The lists and full proportions, are all made Out of his subject: and we here dispatch You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand, For bearers of this greeting to old Norway; Giving to you no further personal power To business with the king, more than the scope Of these delated articles allow. Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty. |
