Final answer:
King Claudius in Shakespeare's Hamlet is most like a snake, symbolizing deceit and treachery which is consistent with his characterization as the usurper and murderer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing King Claudius to an animal from a given selection, he seems to most closely resemble the snake. In literature, a snake often symbolizes deceit and treachery which aligns with Claudius's actions in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
He is the character who usurps the throne of Denmark by murdering his brother, King Hamlet, and marrying the queen. This act of fratricide and deceit links him to the archetype of the snake, which is a recurring symbol of betrayal.
Historically, the snake also carries connotations related to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where it represents the tempter and the bringer of sin into the world; similarly, Claudius's actions introduce chaos and tragedy into the state of Denmark.
Therefore, the comparison to a snake does not just highlight his treacherous behavior, but also his role as an instigator of the play's central conflicts. It's also worth noting that in the play, Hamlet himself refers to Claudius as a 'snake' which further solidifies this comparison.