So, we've been asked to blog about our opinions on King Claudius, based on the speech in scene 2.....
Firstly I'd just like to say, despite having my own opinion on his character, I love the way everyone can interpret Shakespeare in a slightly different way, and all the directors of the film clips we watched in lessons had done something slightly different to portray Claudius' character to the audience- so for each clip I had slightly different opinions on his character.
The way Claudius begins the speech with the word 'though' gives me the opinion he makes excuses for himself to rid himself of guilt.... The 'though' goes on to basically develop his point that 'although my brother died a couple of months ago and we should all be very upset, I'm actually married to his former wife so let's forget about him'. So, so far Claudius hasn't really given the impression of being a loving brother, suggesting the same lack of care may be felt towards his people- and that all he is interested in is gaining more power. Also the line 'with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage' suggests that Claudius is making a mockery of his brother's death, and cannot see the problem in marrying so quickly to his brother's wife.
HOWEVER, who knows whether the former King was actually pretty reckless, thoughtless, made bad decisions and treated his wife with no love at all? And maybe 'with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage' could be interpreted as Claudius caring for the welfare of his people, so trying to make light of the situation to cheer people up? Or if he was nervous about giving a speech, he may even have genuinely mixed up mirth and dirge by accident!!?
The only opinions given in the play about the former King are biased, as they come from Hamlet, who as his son probably looked up to him whether or not he was a good King. Also, the fact that Hamlet's mother married his uncle is enough for Hamlet to resent his uncle, even if his uncle is a better King than his father was......
Anyway, my personal opinion is in red, but I could definitely understand why other people agree with other views.
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