"He who does not know how to deceive does not know how to rule," claimed Rafael Leonidas Trujillo as he executed thousands and manipulated millions to keep his power as the cruel dictator of the Dominican Republic. “To rule,” as stated by Trujillo appears to carry various interpretations for different people, but shares a common, and murderous, definition by Trujillo and King Claudius, from Shakespeare's play Hamlet, during their time in power. Despite their differences, Claudius and Rafael Trujillo represent the combination of intelligence, manipulation, and desire destined to end in catastrophe.
Plotting to take power with no opposition and hold onto it involves a certain amount of wit that both Trujillo and Claudius believed they possessed. King Claudius kept his loathsome secrets
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His mournful disposition allowed him to be tolerated by many characters in Hamlet, but he failed to prolong his deception due to the unplanned interference of the supernatural world. Foiling Claudius’ plan, …show more content…
Claudius came from a wealthy family, and although it is not specified in Hamlet, he probably had a strong education and was familiar with being surrounded by power his whole life. Trujillo, conversely, was born to a middle-class family with ten other siblings and received an education informally around his neighborhood. He survived life in a gang before he joined the military in 1919. Unlike Claudius, Trujillo worked his way to a high position in the military and had a strong backing when he became ruler. Although he rigged it, he won the election for president of the Dominican Republic and held the title officially for 8 years, then unofficially for another 22 years until his death ("Rafael Trujillo." History.com). Although Claudius’s and Trujillo’s lives differed in details, their fates prove it does not matter where someone comes from but the choices they
Claudius was a Roman emperor from 41 to 54, a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was the son of Drusus and Antonia Minor, he was born at Lugdunum in Gaul, the first Roman Emperor to be born outside Itlay. Claudius was assassinated on October 13, 54 AD, in Rome Italy. Claudius was married to Agrippina the younger (m.49 AD – 54 AD), he was also married to Messalina (m. 38AD). Claudius had four children, Britannicus, Claudia Octavia, Claudia Antonia, and Claudius Drusus.
Claudius managed to do so much while also being an amputee and struggling mentally. He lived a long life for his time and built up a family while ruling a massive empire. Claudius coordinated some of
President Abraham Lincoln and Julius Caesar made history by and through their governance on their own nations, both coming from two different time periods. People still look up to them even in today’s society as heroes. Both individuals shared so much power in their countries and can be compared by their life’s history in a variety of ways. Julius Cesar’s life and assassination was different than Abraham Lincoln but is comparable. Comparing their assassination shows both differences and similarities.
Psychopathic Success in Hamlet Although many people believe Claudius is a noble king in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Claudius has shown symptoms of being a partial psychopath. His actions have played a large part in his success and cause him to fit the title of an “almost psychopath”, which “are also called “successful psychopaths,” because they often do quite well in life despite the gradual accumulation of victims in their wake. ”(Zuger)
Claudius was Roman emperor from 41-54 after the assassination of Caligula after being consul since 37. He rose to power unfavourably from his position as consul as better candidates were available within the Roman aristocracy. Arguably the greatest success for Claudius was his campaigns in Britain as it aided his political stature and standing as a political figure. Public life and personal life: Before becoming emperor Claudius held strong interest within the writings of history, this arguably damaged his advancement in public life. he began his works with the recording of civil wars.
“Take care of yourself, Herobrine, I hope we can meet again someday.” Remembering the look of disappointment in Stevenson's eyes just before they went their separate ways made Herobrine slump into his armchair and weep. He had always strived to impress his brother. He had seen how he had created amazing things and Herobrine pressed to make something great too, which is why he always was with Claudius, to make something his brother would be proud of. But instead Claudius just bought out the worse in him.
The path and journey that he chooses in order to become King is by killing his brother and also marrying his brother’s wife. Claudius kills his brother as he was the current King and after his murder,
In order to exemplify and prove strength of character and extreme guidance among the people, he authoritatively acts upon Norway’s proceedings toward Denmark. He immediately calls upon two Danish ambassadors to Norway to deliver a letter to the king and stop the king’s nephew’s advances. With Shakespeare’s use of words such as “we here dispatch You… to business with the King” (1.2.33-34, 1.2.37), Claudius exerts his authority over the Danish people as a king. He is specifically pointing out people that new the previous king and directing them into doing a task not only for the King but for the benefit of the whole kingdom. He decisively uses his power as king to show the people that he is able to be a leader to the country just as much as his brother was.
Claudius doesn’t care who he uses or what he has to do to come out on top he will do anything in Spellman, 5 his power to make sure he is secure. The king’s greed and self loathe are his fatal flaws that ultimately lead to his downfall. Instead of doing things honestly and fair Claudius is a character who would rather play dirty and scheme behind peoples backs to find quick and easy solutions to his problems. Overall Claudius deceived his best friend, his nephew, and his wife to try to end up on top and in power but he ended up losing everything he had almost the exact same way that he received through a tragedy caused at the hands of another
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).
Claudius, as seen in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is both intelligent and clever, two traits that, put together, complement his manipulative and dangerous nature. Due to his cunning nature he portrays the role of a very complex villain. The death of King Hamlet by Claudius results in Prince Hamlet to act out of character, which thus resulted in the tragic death of Polonius and Ophelia. While Hamlet and Gertrude were having conversation, Polonius was hiding behind the huge carpet that was hanging on the wall. Unknowingly, Hamlet stabs Polonius.
Hamlet is William Shakespeare 's renowned tale of mystery, intrigue, and murder, centered on a young misguided prince who can only trust himself. Some may say that the actions of Prince Hamlet throughout the play are weak and fearful, displaying a tendency to procrastinate and showing an apathetic nature towards his family and peers. Others spin a tale of a noble young scholar, driven mad by the cold-blooded murder of his father by his uncle. In truth, I believe Hamlet is neither of these things. Hamlet is a sort of amalgamation of the two, a bundle of contradictions thrown together into one conflicting but very human mess of a character.
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
Firstly, according to Providentialism and the great chain of being, there is a hierarchy related on the understanding of the world. In the state’s sphere, the king is the figure of God on Earth; he is elected by God. However, Claudius is not an elected king, but an “imposed” one (he kills his brother in order to crown himself). Moreover, in some moments (IV, iii, 3-4 and IV, vii, 18-21), Claudius questions the idea that the king is not elected by God but by the crown, since Hamlet is supported by the people. Thus, the play presents an illegitimate crown.
Finally, this provokes Hamlet enough to kill him with his own drink before he dies off. His deception has failed in these events because of his need to create tricks as a cover-up. To think if he had simply stuck to just the poisoned weapon he could have succeeded. Ultimately, the use of Claudius is to reveal how language can be used to manipulate and deceive others to not knowing the truth. He shows us that situations can be perceived another way based on the use of