Question

On what grounds does Claudius criticize Hamlet's continued mourning for his father? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

Claudius criticizes Hamlet's mourning as overly emotional and against divine order, emphasizing that such behavior is weak and irrational while seeking to undermine Hamlet's actions to strengthen his own rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Claudius criticizes Hamlet's continued mourning for his father as unmanly, unwise, and an affront to God. Claudius suggests that to mourn excessively is to show a stubbornness that is impious because it challenges the divine providence that dictates life and death. He goes on to characterize Hamlet's grief as unavailing and a heart unfortified, a mind impatient, and an understanding simple and unschooled.

Claudius argues that all must accept the death of fathers because it is a common event: 'Tis unmanly grief;/It shows a will most incorrect to heaven.' By voicing these criticisms, Claudius is attempting to reinforce his own position of power and diminish Hamlet's behavior, which threatens the stability of his own rule. This tension between Hamlet and Claudius drives much of the play's drama, as Hamlet grapples with his suspicion and anger over his father's death and his mother's swift remarriage to his uncle.

Through Claudius's perspective, Shakespeare explores themes of grief, power, and the complexity of the human psyche in relation to personal and cultural context.

Answer 2

Claudius criticizes Hamlet's grief as unmanly and against divine providence, suggesting such behavior is improper for a prince and indicative of stubbornness. This serves to contrast Hamlet's deep emotional state with the societal expectations of the time, but also hints at Claudius's political motives.

Step-by-step explanation:

Claudius criticizes Hamlet's continued mourning by suggesting that his grief is unmanly, uncomely to his status as a prince, and against divine providence. In the text, Claudius addresses Hamlet, saying that to continue to grieve over his father's death is to show a stubbornness that is unfilial and implies a lack of understanding of the natural cycle of life and death. Claudius goes as far as to say that to persevere in obstinate condolence is a course of impious stubbornness, a sentiment which leverages the cultural context of the era that expected one to eventually accept the death of loved ones as part of God's will.

The criticism highlights a clash between Hamlet's personal affliction and the expectations placed upon him by royal duty and religious doctrine. But underlying this criticism, there may be a more political motive for Claudius, as Hamlet's mourning keeps alive the memory of the old king, which could threaten Claudius's illegitimate claim to the throne.