Monday, February 17, 2014

What are some objects that symbolize the character Claudius from Shakespeare's Hamlet?

I think if there was just one object that most audiences
would associate with Claudius, it would have to be poison
Consider the many different associations and connections he has with it.  First, he
poisons Hamlet's father by pouring poison in his ear.  Then, he plans to poison Hamlet
during the fencing match at the end of the play, both with a poisoned cup and backed up
with the poisoned tip of Laertes' sword.


Of course,
metaphorically, Claudius is a poison in the kingdom.  Like the
poison itself, he is a silent murderer and a hidden threat to everyone.  He brings
deception, corruption and a dangerous desire for power to
Denmark.

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