Of all the characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet, I find the role of Claudius to be the most crucial role in this tragedy. Many people look at Claudius and only see a villain, but there are additional sides to him that may be overlooked; the father, the husband, the ruler and the mortal individual. Claudius, the father, is very recognizable in Act 1 Scene 2. He states to Hamlet "...think of us as you would a father. Let the world take note: you are next in succession to the throne and, with love no less profound than that which a devoted father bears towards his son, I shall deal liberally with you." Hamlet is "the highest-ranking member of our court, our kinsman, and our son." Here Claudius is speaking to Hamlet and saying that he is loved and accepted even since he is not Claudius' natural son.
             Claudius seems to have no trouble speaking to his son Hamlet in front of a crowd; however, I imagine when the two men are alone, Claudius is at a loss for words and cannot figure out what to say, or when to say it. It could be that the King feels so guilty about murdering King Hamlet that he is unable to speak to Hamlet in private, for fear of his true self-emerging. The new King is also a proven tactician. When young Fortinbras came to demand the surrender of those lands lost by his father to King Hamlet, Claudius handled the matter with ease and grace. He told Fortinbras that a letter was going to be sent to the King of Norway telling him in Act 1 Scene 2 "...to stop him (Fortinbras) from proceeding further." Claudius realized that war at the beginning of his rule would not look good, especially since there had been the thought of incest going around. He did not want to be blamed for tainting the Queen's bed and for destroying the mighty kingdom. Something interesting I find is that in Claudius' formal speeches he uses the plural form of "we" implying that the crown also has a say in official matters. The husband part of him is a little le...