Essay Sample on Characterization in Literary Works: Role of Characters in Play 'Hamlet' by Shakespeare

Introduction

Characterization is a critical tool used by authors to pass their message to the audience. In any given literary work, characters are at the center of the development of the storyline and help deliver the main idea to the readers on behalf of the author. Each character has a role to play regarding the development of a conflict in the case works such as plays. In the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare has assigned characters specific roles which they advance throughout the book with the intention of enhancing the conflict of the play. In Hamlet, Claudius' role in the development of the conflict in the play cannot be underestimated. Although considered a minor character in the play, Claudius contributes significantly to the development of the theme of the play. The role of Claudius is realized based on the manner in which actions are linked to the political position he holds as a leader. What does Claudius actually contribute in the play? Claudius provides the locus in which actions take place as well as help to reveal the intentions Hamlet and other characters thereby enhancing the theme of revenge.

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Claudius, like any other character, in the play occupies an essential position in so far as building the plot is concerned. He is the brother to King Hamlet, who the audience earns that he had just died. Although the family of King Hamlet has an heir in the name, Prince Hamlet, does not ascend to the throne after the death of the father. The reason for this situation is that the brother, Claudius, was also interested in the vacant job of kingship due to the privileges that were associated with not only in Denmark but also beyond. Such covetous attitude made him to conspire and prevent Prince Hamlet from taking the reins, a position that rightfully belongs to him following the death of the father. As the play begins, the audience learns that Claudius killed King Hamlet so that he could take over the leadership of the kingdom, locking out the son. The revelation is made in a ghost that appears to Hamlet and informs him about the role Claudius played in the father's death and how such conspiracy has robbed him of the right to the throne (Cameron 161). The ghost informs Hamlet that he should go on a mission to avenge for the brutal action of his uncle and reclaim his position as the rightful heir of the kingship. The finding about Claudius' evil deeds upsets Hamlet so much that he resolves to kill his uncle. The bitterness against his uncle is also heightened by his decision to marry Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, just a few moments following the death of king Hamlet. In this sense, Claudius is depicted from the onset as a man under the radar of Hamlet, setting the stage for the conflict that runs throughout the story.

Claudius has been depicted who very calculating/opportunistic to achieve his objectives. As an ambitious personality, he not only takes advantage of being the brother of king Hamlet to pursue his ambitions of leading the kingdom. He calculates that killing the brother is a certain way of inheriting the kingship. After murdering his brother, he moves quickly to erase the image of king Hamlet to ensure that nobody questions the death of the brother. For instance, he marries the wife of his brother and also prepares propaganda to confuse Hamlet. At the start of the story, the audience can see Hamlet grieving with depression about his father's death. Even most people believe that Hamlet is not psychologically sound due to the death of the father (Aristodemou 103-105). Instead of leaving the son alone to grieve, he appears to have prepared a speech as a way of making forget about the father. In his calculation, this would avoid situations where the son questions the death of his father hence threaten the kingship of Claudius. He says, "Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father", but that he "must know your father lost a father, That father lost, lost his"(Act 1:87-89). He continues to dissuade Hamlet from spending too much time grieving about the father because it is unmanly to do so. In the same incident, Claudius informs Hamlet that grieving is offensive to the spirits as his father is already in heaven. He says, "grief will most incorrect to heaven"(Act 1: 95). Such statements create the stage for the conflict with Hamlet which motivates the latter to come up with the mission to revenge for the death of king Hamlet

The other trait of Claudius is that he is a manipulative figure. In his quest to ensure that Hamlet does not achieve his objective of revenge, he comes up with plans to banish Hamlet from the kingdom. This is after the realization that a revelation has been made to Hamlet regarding his contribution to the death of the king Hamlet and his intention to assume power illegally. Such awareness motivates him to devise a plan to eliminate Hamlet. For instance, he decides to send Hamlet to England where he expects to plan his death. Before carrying out his plan, he ensures that he manipulates the people to believe that Hamlet is mad. Thus, the situation of madness, he convinces the people, is to send him far away where he could recover by overcoming the disturbing memories of the father's death. His manipulative ability can be seen in the number of people who believe his theory about Hamlet's condition as evidence in information held by the Gravedigger and Polonius. The former even informs Hamlet's mother that "Your noble son is Mad mad I call it, for to define true madness, What is it but to be nothing else but mad?(Act 2 scene 2:4). The plot to send Hamlet to England led to the death of Polonius but this does not affect the desire to eliminate Hamlet. Claudius even managed to manipulate Hamlet's mother into believing that her son is lovesick for the father. The strategy was vital in painting a picture of a good leader who is genuinely interested in helping his nephew when the audience is much aware that that was not the case. The trait is critical in the development of the theme of revenge in the storyline in that enables the reader identify the intrigues of Hamlet and his uncle throughout the play.

Perhaps one of the most enduring elements of the personality of Claudius regarding the development of the plot is his materialistic nature. Like a typical politician, the quest for power makes him to engage in actions that are meant to satisfy his material needs with little regard to the impact of his action on others. The assumption of the kingship is a process that is characterized by materialism. This can be seen in the greed that motivates the strategy of killing his brother. The question that the audience may ask is that: what kind of a person is Claudius when he kills king Hamlet to take his position? Corruption and greed appear the two significant motives that drive such wild behavior. The quest for materialism can also be noted in the many techniques he employs to kill Hamlet to stay in power. He pays assassins and uses his resources to send Hamlet to England under the pretext that the country would provide an opportunity for him to heal from the grief relating to the death of king Hamlet. Moreover, he quickly marries Gertrude to get opportunity for power. Although he appears to show great love for Gertrude, it is evident that the intention is to acquire power and not genuine love. The materialistic nature of Claudius is pivotal in the story in that it promotes the struggle for power between Hamlet and his uncle, thereby enhancing the idea of revenge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Claudius contributes significantly to the development of the storyline and the major themes of the play. Although he is regarded as a minor character in the play, his close interaction with Hamlet makes his position prominent. When the one examines the personality of Claudius, it becomes clear that he is an important person in the play in so far as developing the conflict in the play. One of the traits necessary for the reader to discern the role of Claudius is his opportunistic/calculating tendencies. He appreciates that the death of the brother would provide him a chance to lead the kingdom. He is also manipulative to ensure that he gets the support required to carry out his heinous motives. The love for material things further strengthens the fight with Hamlet. Overall, the conflict in the story revolves around Claudius.

Works Cited

Aristodemou, Maria. "To Be or Not to Be a (Dead) Father." Journal of International Dispute Settlement, vol. 9, no. 1, 2017, pp. 103-122.

Cameron, Eileen. "The Psychology of Hamlet." International Journal of Language and Literature, vol. 2, no. 3, 2014, pp. 161-177.