Claudius: The Mind Controller

Claudius is slyly plotting to kill Hamlet, so his illegitimate ascension to the throne will never be exposed.  Through the use of language, Claudius masterfully uses deceit to try trick people to carry out his will.   This is a very advantageous skill for Claudius because it allows him not to be directly involved in the murder.  Laertes is very susceptible to King Claudius' trap because he is emotionally unstable, due to the recent deaths in his family.  Claudius' clever use of diction and his soft tone seems to comfort Laertes, while fueling his hatred towards Hamlet.  Claudius' deceitfulness is evident in how he deals with the sons of fathers who have just passed, Hamlet and Laertes.  When Hamlet is mourning the death of his father, Claudius claims it to be "unmanly grief" and tells Hamlet to move on.  The motive for this statement can be found in Claudius' desire for Hamlet to not snoop around in the past, which may expose Claudius' evil deed.  As opposed to Claudius' stance when dealing with Laertes, where he questions Laertes love for his father by stating, "Laertes, was your father dear to you?/Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,/A face without a heart," (IV.VII. 105-107).  Claudius wants to convince Laertes he must show his love for his father by taking action and getting vengeance on Hamlet.