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Compare And Contrast Hamlet And Claudius

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Hamlet Comparison Essay
There are many qualities that make an effective and powerful leader. Some leaders strive for greatness; others strive to make history. Though their goals may differ, all can agree that the most important component of leadership is earning the respect of those who follow you and being responsible with the power you earn. There are many strong leaders in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, though not all are effective. King Claudius and Prince Hamlet demonstrate different leadership styles, Claudius’ being more effective. Hamlet is driven by his emotions, while Claudius is selfish yet intelligent. In terms of cognitive resources, each leader demonstrates a different ethical stance. The social and cultural resources enable both Hamlet and Claudius to act in ways that are only sometimes emotional appreciate. The true differentiating characteristic is the psychological resource, resilience. It this here where one realizes who is the better leader.

Ethics is an important influential factor for Hamlet and Claudius, despite their variation in ethical standpoints. An important cognitive resource, ethical stance entails acting responsibly and with integrity. Ethics has a …show more content…

The true differentiating character between the effectiveness of Hamlet and Claudius’ leadership is their individual resilience. Claudius is ruthless in his attacks towards Hamlet; he does not become discouraged at any point. Hamlet’s emotions deteriorate leading up to the end of the play, and with it goes his resilience. Claudius’ brutality and wisdom combine to create a tough and determined leader, while Hamlet’s emotions often create barriers for him in his quest for what he wants. Claudius’ cold-hearted techniques are what truly make him a better leader than Hamlet. Though Hamlet may earn love from the people of Denmark, Claudius earns respect. Some may argue it is better to be loved than feared as a leader, but Claudius’ resilience in his quest to murder Hamlet proves

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Like many British rulers (e.g., Henry IV, Elizabeth I, Richard III), Claudius kills a family member, performing “an act of state” and following “a tradition which every English monarch had had to accept for two hundred years” (45). Once on the throne, he must begin the process of securing his position: praising the dead king, forming political alliances, marrying Gertrude, dealing with the threat of Fortinbras, conciliating ministers (e.g., Polonius), and attempting a reconciliation with his primary rival Hamlet. Because Hamlet refuses to embrace the new king, Claudius must engage in spying tactics to gain knowledge about his potential enemy and, ultimately, decide to terminate the threat. But in Shakespeare’s political tragedy (unlike the realities of British history), murderers are destined to fail. Aside from the fact that all of his supporters die (e.g., Polonius, Laertes), Claudius proves a weak leader because he “invariably prefers compromise to confrontation, placatory gestures to open defiance” (51-52).

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Although most antagonist share a lot of the same traits as the villain with being conniving, evil, and looking for a way to sabotage the protagonist, Hamlet’s Claudius and The Lion King’s Scar are significantly different. They of course aim for the same motives, but the way they go about situations and their overall personas are like night and day. To start off, they both have extremely different relationships with the protagonist. Claudius from the beginning wants to be on good terms with Hamlet, with reminding him that he’s now not only his uncle, but his stepfather.

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Claudius is then compared to the internal organs of slaves and a man without morals, remorse or kindness (Ham.2.2.607-608). The powerful metaphors and adjectives used to describe Claudius not only express Hamlet’s intense contempt and disdain towards him, but also serve to convince Hamlet to commit murder. However, Hamlet depicts himself as a whore, a prostitute, and a swearing kitchen maid (Ham.2.2.614-616), reiterating the notion that he is worthless, as well as weak for expressing his emotions through words rather than actions. The shift from metaphors to similes indicate Hamlet’s failure to move past his cowardice and proceed with an act of revenge that would inflict

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The moral background within the story of Hamlet and The Lion KIng are similar consisting that their plots also correspond. In every situation whether it be in Hamlet or The Lion KIng all the actors or cast members displayed an act of portraying a personality not seen at first glance. Which can be similar corresponding to “real” life that most people aren't who they appear to be. For example The King’s brother or Simba’s uncle took on this role of being responsible, caring, and a very big role model in the kingdom but in turn his real role in society was to play this manipulative, and inconsiderate being. The common people; however, followed the role he displayed not the role that made him who he was.

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These actions show Hamlet’s compassion and in comparison to Claudius, they are vastly

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Have you ever wanted revenge so bad that you would do whatever it took to get it? From Hamlet to Gladiator, two men went through great struggles to avenge the death of ones they loved. Throughout these stories, each plot has major differences while keeping multiple similarities between the two. Hamlet by William Shakespeare, is a play that tells the story of a young man on a mission to get revenge for his father’s unjust death. Gladiator is a movie that follows the journey of Maximus who chooses the path of a gladiator to avenge his family 's death after the murder of his emperor.

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Turning now to the absurd world of the two plays. To begin with, Hamlet finds himself in a world of actors where no one is who they seem. Claudius is playing the role of the king though his betrayal would suggest he is not meant to be king. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are playing the role of Hamlet 's friends while secretly working for Claudius. Even fair Ophelia, who Hamlet thought honest deceives him in Act 3 scene 1.

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However, Hamlet’s goes through a journey of different feelings towards this motivation. Hamlet is initially ardent to kill Claudius, driven by his anger and hate towards him. For example, Hamlet describes his hate for Claudius when he exclaims, “O villain, villain, smiling, damnèd villain!... At least I’m sure it may be so in Denmark (1.5.107–110). His description of Claudius as the villain shows that Hamlet seeks to commit justice for the corruption that Claudius has brought about.

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Hamlet’s success is directly impacted by the conflicts he has with Claudius and Laertes that all lead to moral corruption which ultimately leads to his downfall. Firstly, the conflict between Hamlet and his stepfather, Claudius, shows how their family is flawed causing

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This is what causes Hamlet to compromise his love for Ophelia, as she is stunned and disrespected by his attitude. Similarly, Claudius wanted to gain power, and uses his ambitious attitude to murder his brother, quickly marry his widow, and take the throne himself. Despite their similar nature the two men are driven by different goals. Claudius works to gain and keep power, while Hamlet is working to seek revenge for his father. However, Claudius continues to rule in his power, and dwell in his wronged achievements allowing himself to pursue his

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Many characters show signs of intelligence throughout William Shakespeare’s Hamlet as they conjure plans to achieve their goals. However, Hamlet’s intelligence is far superior to that of all the other characters. He is capable of altering the kingdom’s perception of him to his advantage by adjusting his behaviours. The schemes he devises outsmart everyone and leave him to appear innocent. Most importantly, Hamlet miraculously escapes his own death and instead brings an end to those involved in his execution.

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In the end Hamlet steps up to plate, killing Claudius and putting the fate of Denmark in good

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Claudius had arranged an execution for Hamlet, to get rid of him permanently. Behind these acts of deception, we can see Claudius had wanted power, and would do anything to achieve it. This makes

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Many of Hamlet 's traits may appear to be weaknesses but they are, at second glance, strengths which aid him in his attempt to do away with Claudius. His refusal to murder the "incestuous, murderous, damned Dane" as he prays in Act 3, Scene 3 was a wise decision. If the prince had indeed killed the king he would have been immediately

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Due to himself being too idealistic and restrained, he does not take decisive actions even after using the planned play to test the Claudius's conscience that could possibly expose himself and left himself in unfavorable circumstances. Hamlet’s inability to act is caused by his overanalysis of the situations that further render him from not carrying out actions in response. If Hamlet is not indecisive, he would not be uncertain about the evidence regarding to his uncle’s crime, he would not be delaying his revenge, he would not be having emotional breakdowns and become a tragic figure. Hamlet’s personality ‘borns’ and develops under his royal position and the growing

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