Abstract
The paper explains that "Hamlet" is a play written by William Shakespeare about a prince who takes revenge on his uncle who has murdered Hamlet's father. The paper relates that although he takes things that are not rightfully his and manipulates with his words, he is unapologetic for his actions and has the strength and fortitude to admit that he has done so and that he will continue to do the same. The paper adds that although at the hands of Hamlet, in essence, Claudius causes the death of six innocent individuals as Hamlet attempts to slay Claudius. The paper asserts that Claudius is manipulative and strategic, yet he also takes full responsibility for his actions (Maquerlot 111). Therefore, the thesis of this paper is that Claudius' recognition of his evil deeds is honorable and mitigates the ills he commits.

From the Paper
"In some respects, Claudius is more heroic than Hamlet. "Hamlet" is a play written by William Shakespeare about a prince who takes revenge on his uncle who has murdered Hamlet's father. Although he takes things that are not rightfully his and manipulates with his words, he is unapologetic for..."

Tags:claudius, hamlet, shakespeare

Abstract
This is an analytical paper exploring the meaning of the soliloquy delivered by Claudius in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The soliloquy is a confession to the killing of king Hamlet and, according to the writer, a confession to god. What the writer then goes on to analyze is the confession and the biblical references it may represent. The writer concludes that either character was insufficient to be kind for they lost themselves to greed, lust, and revenge.

Outline:
Claudius
The Face of Guilt
A Worthy King?

From the Paper
"The personality and moral character of Hamlet leads the reader to believe that his thoughtfulness is an obstacle to the quick action that is needed regarding Claudius (Hirsch, Kett, and Trefil, p. 59). This makes him appear to be less worthy to be a strong leader and supports the argument that Claudius appears to be the better person for the job. Mercer supports this idea, "Everything Claudius says asserts an image of an ordered and harmonious society ruled by a politic and judicious King; his whole performance declares that everything is as it should be" (Mercer,1987, p. 137). Mercer adds that his image of "firm but benevolent authority" adds to his villainous nature (Mercer,1987, p. 137). His personality leads everyone to question whether he could have the ability to commit such as villainous act as murder of his own King and brother.
"Claudius puts on a good face when in public, but in Act 3, Scene 3 the audience gets a glimpse into the turmoil that he has been hiding all the time. We get a glimpse that Claudius may not have the inner fortitude to make a good ruler. His weakness is revealed as he faces the fate of his mortal soul and realizes the eternal consequences of what he has done. "The more we find out about this villain the less he seems to have in common with the crazed megalomaniacs and the ruthless Machivels that swagger across the stages of Kyd and Marston" (Mercer,1987, pp. 214-215)."

Tags:shakespeare, claudius, hamlet, literature

Abstract
This paper compares Tiberius and Claudius with reference to their dealings with the senate, their civil administration and their provincial and frontier policy. In the first area, Tiberius' reliance on Sejanus and adherence to Augustus is compared to Claudius' development of the civil service at the expense of his freedmen. In the second area, Tiberius' frugality is compared to Claudius' extensive building projects. In the third area, Tiberius' diplomacy and consolidation is compared to Claudius' expansionism. It is eventually concluded that the reign of Tiberius was in the long term more profitable for Rome.

From the Paper
"Finally, frontier and provincial policy was an area where the achievements, as well as the impact of each emperor varied significantly. Tiberius, as even Tacitus is prepared to concede, was a tactful and diplomatic administrator of the empire's borders, who focused more on consolidation than expansionism. Tacitus states that he strengthened the eastern frontiers by 'astute diplomacy without warfare.' (Annals, p216) Even in Africa, his suppression of the revolt of Tacfarinas was done with as little bloodshed as possible, and Bradley (p 535) notes that 'in two years peace returned to the province.' For the large part, Tiberius was content to maintain the policies of Augustus, using with slow Romanisation of provinces by installing client-kings."

Tags:ancient, claudians, julio, rome

Abstract
This paper examines how one character that can rival the complexity and depth of the character of Hamlet, is that of Claudius. It looks at how we soon discover through Hamlet's eyes that Claudius murdered his brother to get to the throne which prompts the opinion of Claudius as a bad man. It analyses whether this opinion is justified and whether Claudius can be considered a good king as has been proposed by critics in the past.

From the Paper
"However, much evidence points towards the fact that Claudius may in fact have been a 'bad man'. He can display a malicious nature and manipulate people into doing what he wants them to do. Throughout the course of the play he uses many characters for his own personal gain: Gertrude (to hold power over Denmark); Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (to see if Hamlet's madness was real or just an act); Laertes (to kill Hamlet) and through the exposition, King Hamlet (who is killed so Claudius can get to the throne). Through Claudius' use of Laertes, we see the true immorality of his character with there being no other reason for his twisting of the truth than for personal gain."

Tags:laertes, gertrude

Abstract
In this essay, the character of Claudius from Hamlet is shown as a quintessential Machiavellian character. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote the book entitled The Prince, and is known by some for making the guidelines on how to become the best prince through lies, corruption, evil, and murder. This essay examines how Claudius, the King of Denmark fulfills these guidelines. Claudius' Machavellian character is shown through the way he deceives others about his virtue, his development of schemes, and his belief that rules can easily be broken.

From the Paper
" A Machiavellian character is not hard to come by, and ample exist around us today. A person of this characteristic will break rules, pretend to be virtuous, plan schemes, and do anything they must, in order to receive what they strive for. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a perfect example of such a character is displayed in Claudius, the New King of Denmark. Claudius performs many deceptive, and horrifying acts, which make him the quintessential Machiavellian character. Developing schemes, pretending to be virtuous, and proving his belief, through his actions, that rules may be broken, are the deeds he executes, which prove his true character."

Tags:deception, downfall, evil, gertrude, hamlet, laertes, prince, shakespeare, survival, tragedy, virtue

Abstract
This paper focuses on the Emperor Claudius contribution to the Romanisation of western provinces, focusing mainly on Gaul and Britain. The main methods he used to do this are discussed, including extension of citizenship, the use of Imperial cult, the presence of the Roman army, and conquest. The paper also makes an assessment of Claudius' policy as emperor.

From the Paper
"A fundamental aspect of Romanisation which underpinned most emperor's actions was their expansionist nature . With Claudius the most obvious indication of this is his conquest of Britain. However, the process of conquest and colonisation took off under Augustus 'the mere maintenance of order did not fulfil the ambition of the princeps or justify his mandate. There was hard work to be done in the provinces and on the frontiers.' Syme refers to the tendency of Augustus and subsequent Emperors to justify their rule by taking on new territory. There is much emphasis in the Res Gestae placed on the military successes of Augustus. Claudius too used this feature in conquering Britain, and in doing this 'he believed he had carved for himself a niche in the edifice of history.'"

Tags:citizenship, cult, imperial, senatorial, gaul, britain

Abstract
This paper addresses the argument of whether Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus was a success or a failure as an emperor. It analyses his unfortunate childhood as well as his reign and attempts to explain the reasoning behind his actions as emperor. It concludes that he was in fact an intelligent and successful Roman Emperor.

From the Paper
"The idea that the power of Rome lies in her Army, has been proven time and time again by figures such as Marius and Sulla. Claudius likewise was no stranger to this fact and, as a result, many of his first actions as Emperor were to secure the loyalty of the army and to establish some much needed military-credentials. Hennessy (1990) explains that following Claudius' rise to power with the support of the Praetorian Guard, he promised each guard 150 gold pieces with the intention of buying their allegiance and hence his protection. Claudius then went to plan and execute a campaign to, as Fagan (2004) argued, secure both military distinction and the respect of the Army. This, of course, came in the form of the famous invasion and annexation of Britain. To keep this strong military image throughout his reign, he added to the Roman Empire: Mauritania, Thrace and Lycia (BBC 2004). By the end of his reign, Claudius had been hailed Imperator twenty-seven times and had won a triumph (Fagan, 2004)."

Tags:ancient, britain, caligula, drusus, germanicus, invasion, nero

Abstract
This paper examines how William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a play about revenge and indecision and how, because Hamlet's father is wronged, Hamlet himself spends most of the play deliberating on the subject of his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has killed his father, married his mother, and assumed the throne. It looks at how his father's ghost pushes him to seek revenge, although he does not want to, and how there are many possible reasons for his delay in vengeance, among them Hamlet's own mercurial nature and his desire to protect his mother. It examines Hamlet's quest for vengeance by looking at the text directly and taking cues from secondary sources and concludes that Hamlet's delay in taking vengeance is primarily based on his indecision, his self-interest, and his desire to protect Gertrude.

From the Paper
"Throughout the play, Hamlet makes his own choices regarding his plan for avenging his father, and these choices are affected by his own personal ideas about fate and what he sees himself as being chosen for (vengeance). Hamlet represents reluctance to carry out what he sees as his destined goal of getting rid of his father's murderer and his mother's seducer: "O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" (Shakespeare, I,v, 188-9), he cries upon making Horatio and Marcellus swear to help him in his plans to oust Claudius. Hamlet is not just following the orders of his father's ghost; he is struggling with his own goals and ideas about what is right and wrong; his conscience is at war with his need for vengeance. He passes up many opportunities to either escape his fate of having to avenge his father and quiet his ghost or assure it. He chooses to make his vendetta intensely personal. This personal vendetta makes Hamlet a dangerous character because he is working on the whims of his own emotions."

Tags:ghost, gertrude, vengeance

Abstract
This paper explains that John Updike's novel "Gertrude and Claudius", attempts to provide a past history for the Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, but creates a far different woman than the sensual, guilty lady of the drama, "Hamlet". The author points out that what is so interesting about Updike's version of the tale is, although the plot of the novel is virtually the same as the drama, Updike takes a completely different view of middle-aged sexuality. The paper relates that, in the Shakespearean play, Hamlet dominates the action, and there are only fleeting glimpses of Gertrude's greater psychology; whereas, in Updike's version, Gertrude is at the center of the drama.

From the Paper
"Updike portrays a much more beautiful vision of middle-aged sexuality than young Hamlet's mind can possibly dream of. Updike's Gertrude did not "sink" into moral turpitude, changing from a weeping widow to a lusty bride, as her son tells the audience. "Why she would hang on him/As if increase of appetite had grown/ By what it fed on, and yet within a month?. With which she followed my poor father's body, Like Niobe, al tears?, married with mine uncle." (1.2.144-149) Rather, the carnal pleasures Gertrude enjoyed with Claudius in Updike's vision were her first experiences of a full sensuality. When Claudius and Gertrude first enjoy a night together, Updike writes, "Surges of sensation in her lower parts lifted her so high her voice was flung from her like a bird's lost call.""

Tags:mother, middle-age, sexuality, psychology, beauty

Abstract
This paper examines how Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a play about revenge and indecision and how, because Hamlet's father is wronged, Hamlet himself spends most of the play deliberating on the subject of his revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has killed his father, married his mother, and assumed the throne. It explores Hamlet's quest for vengeance by looking at the text directly, taking cues from secondary sources, and concludes that Hamlet's delay in taking vengeance is primarily based on his indecision, his self-interest, and his desire to protect Gertrude.

From the Paper
"Throughout the play, Hamlet makes his own choices regarding his plan for avenging his father, and these choices are affected by his own personal ideas about fate and what he sees himself as being chosen for (vengeance). Hamlet represents reluctance to carry out what he sees as his destined goal of getting rid of his father's murderer and his mother's seducer: "O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" (Shakespeare, I,v, 188-9), he cries upon making Horatio and Marcellus swear to help him in his plans to oust Claudius. Hamlet is not just following the orders of his father's ghost; he is struggling with his own goals and ideas about what is right and wrong; his conscience is at war with his need for vengeance. He passes up many opportunities to either escape his fate of having to avenge his father and quiet his ghost or assure it. He chooses to make his vendetta intensely personal."

Tags:gertrude, ghost, murder