Claudius’ 1st speech- Act 1 Scene 2
The speech is divided three parts:
1. Lines 1-7= Death of his brother
2. Lines 8-16= Marriage to Queen Gertrude
3. Lines 17-38= Politics
1. Death of his brother:
In this part of the speech Claudius touches on his brother’s death.
- “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe,”
Claudius uses words such as “dear” and “bear our hearts in grief” to tell the people of Denmark he had no connection with the death. He begins his speech by remembering the former King with respect, thus telling the people of Denmark that he is caring and sensitive.
- “Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature That we with wisest sorrow think on him Together with remembrance of ourselves.”
2. Marriage to Queen Gertrude:
Claudius follows on by touching on the sensitive topic of incest. In most religions marrying your dead brother’s wife is frowned upon, Claudius knows this and talks about the issue.
- “Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, taken to wife.”
- “Nor have we herein barred Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone With this affair along. For all, our thanks.”
Claudius responds to the critic of the people of Denmark by telling them that he and the Queen are in love. On the other hand there is a bit of a threatening tone to Claudius’ words, “Nor have we herein barred Your better wisdoms,” Here he is basically saying, “you are lucky you decided to accept this marriage or else…”
3. Politics:
Recently young Fortinbras, new King of Norway, took control of the country. To show the public Denmark’s foreign intentions Claudius needs to respond.
- “Young Fortinbras, Holding a weak supposal of our worth Or thinking by our late brother’s death Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,”
He is addressing the court because the king of Norway has a nephew named Fortinbras who wants the new King Claudius to return certain lands formerly given to Hamlet the Elder and now devoid of a pact any longer since the elder has died and Fortinbras is to be the new ruler and not bound by promises and treaties made by others. Claudius refuses to give in and makes the choice public with this court appearance as well as sending Cornelius and Voltimand with a letter to the old king to let him know what the nephew is doing while he is sick and old. The two courtiers have no power to negotiate, only to inform and their presence at the court of Norway will indeed require something to be done or discussed.
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