Blog 6 Option 1

In Hamlet it is made out that Claudius is an evil person, inside and out. I honestly feel he is not completely evil. He did murder his brother, which shows he had an evil moment but he does feel bad about it. "My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent"(3.3.41). Claudius is saying how he feels guilty that he killed King Hamlet, however he still is taking in the goods of his actions. He believes no matter how sorry he is and how often he asks for forgiveness he cannot be forgiven since he is still king and married to the queen. "But oh, what form of prayer can serve my turn, 'Forgive me my foul murder'? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: my crown, mine own ambition, and my queen"(3.3.53-6).

There is also proof that Claudius is not completely evil. There are times when it seems like Claudius is trying to look out for Hamlet. "He shall with speed to England for the demand of our neglected tribute. Haply the seas and countries different with variable objects shall expel this something-settled matter in his heart"(3.1.169-73). He is planning to send Hamlet away to collect money that is owed to them, hoping that the trip will relieve him of whatever it is that is causing him grief, and to go insane.  Claudius does try to come up with way to get Hamlet to reveal what is bother him but to no avail. So i guess Claudius can be seen as a flawed individual, he has problems and thats what led to the murder of his brother. Because of this one action however, it leads to all the other crazy events that happen in the play.

I think the title "The tragedy of Claudius, King of Denmark" would not work too well for the play. It puts too much emphasis on Claudius. He is not the main character of the play, and the play focuses more on the events and how they affect Hamlet. If the play was re-written properly, it could be based around Claudius and the title could possibly fit.