Claudius's

This Hamlet, the reasonable man in a violent, irrational world, seems contaminated and coarsened by Claudius's Elsinore: he shrugs off the deaths of Polonius and his old student friends with a casualness that was not initially part of his character.

Hamlet - review Michael Billington 2010

Claudius's opening address about his late brother is made as much for the benefit of the cameras as Fortinbras's final tribute to young Hamlet.

Hamlet - review Michael Billington 2010

The implication functioning as invitation, Claudius's suggestion is that Hamlet may (repeat, may) consider that term complete.

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

His first gesture is to place a formal petition on Claudius's desk asking for leave to return to Wittenberg: a request that is insultingly overlooked.

Hamlet - review Michael Billington 2010

"'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet," Claudius's speech begins, "To give these mourning duties to your father."

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

We now have a lacuna that we can build on by removing any explicit references to Claudius's crime, inserting in their place pointers to the unseen event -- which wouldn't actually be that hard to do given Hamlet's evasive crazytalk.

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

The complementary nature of these quirks, however, allows Shakespeare to do something more subtle, in what can be read as an invitation to turn Claudius's sentiments completely inside out.

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

The gist of Claudius's speech contains an implicit licentia -- that Hamlet may carry on like this if he so chooses -- though it's the complementary determina -- that he really should not -- which is the main thrust.

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

Would we want the ghost to reappear at the climax, and reveal itself to everyone, thus establishing Hamlet's sanity and Claudius's guilt?

Modality and Hamlet Hal Duncan 2010

Claudius's head sags drunkenly into his wedding breakfast.

Thomas Ostermeier: 'Hamlet? The play's a mess' 2011