Private Passions and Moral Responsibilities: Hamlet Essay

more great works of literature often focus on per newsal tragedy and ways of overcoming it. In Shakespeares juncture, how ever, the inability of the main characters to confront their problems properly leads to the destruction of all. The antagonist of the play, Claudius, allows his personal ambition for forcefulness to overshadow the forget of his conscience.Hamlet opens at the royal castle of El viceore where a apparition bearing the fool of the recently deceased King Hamlet is seen walking the halls in battle gear. Later it is learned that his brother, Claudius, has lendn to the throne with King Hamlets ex-wife, Gertrude, after only two months since the Kings passing. The son of the deceased King, Hamlet, sees the marriage as a travesty stating, (Oh God A beast that wants discourse of evidence would stupefy mourned longer) married with my uncle My fathers brother, but no more like my father than I to Hercules. (Shakespeare 13) Clearly, Hamlet sees the marriage as incestuo us in the beginning but he doesnt take action until he is visited by the apparition of his father whoproclaims that Claudius killed him in lust for power. Hamlet is asked, If thou didst ever thy dear father love oh God Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. (27) Here begins Hamlets quest to avenge his father by laying ruin to King Claudius. To be plastered of the Kings guilt, Hamlet puts on a play bearing a resemblance to how the ghost described the murder. When King Claudius views it, he feels a sudden pang of conscience and abruptly leaves. This flinch provides a first glance by the reader, andHamlet that Claudius is guilty and is at odds with himself for his foul actions.From a monologue after storming out of the play, the reader becomesaware of the personal anguish Claudius possesses. O, my curse is rank, itsmells to heaven It hath the primal eldest sentence upont, A brothers murderPray basis I not, though inclination be as sharp as will. My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent.(84) For Claudius the act of killing his brother was a wicked one that he now regrets. His strong intent and ambition forthe throne has caused him turmoil in heavens eyes. The primaryconsequence of Claudiuss actions on his character is that he will now have to make a huge decision as is delineated further into the soliloquy. But, o, what form of prayer can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul murder? Thatcannot be since I am still possess of these effects for which I did the murder My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.May one be pardoned and retain offense? (84) Will he give up the worldly things he now possesses for forgiveness or will he keep on, undaunted by his guiltand remain stained by his ultimate sin? It seems that the king cannot give up his precious power, but instead asks others to join him in an attempt to fling Hamlet and retain the crown. Claudius asks Laertes, Will you be ruled by me () I will work him to an use now ripe in my device under whic h he shall not choose but crash and for his death no wind of blame shall we breath. (116) Power hungry and greedy, King Claudius has rejected the notions of morality by attempting to kill his nephew and has sealed his fate in the eyes of God.Shakespeares Hamlet pivots on the theme of know passionbefore it is too late. Although Claudius confronts his sins committed in search of title and authority, he never takes the steps needed to hand absolution. Instead, the King opts to use violence to solve his dilemmawhich results in both the downfall of his royal family and the tour of his envenomed(144) blade upon him.