Hamlet, Act 1, Scenes i-iii
Initial Impressions of King Claudius, Hamlet, and Queen Gertrude

             It is clear that King Claudius accepts fully his position as Dane and embraces his rights as such. He says to Laertes, in a manner of arrogance befitting a natural king, “You cannot speak of reason to the Dane / And lose your voice” (I.ii.44-45). Claudius also appears to be recognizing the necessity of mourning for the late King when addressing his audience (1.ii.1-7), however he contradicts this by justifying his brother’s death in an explanation to Hamlet that it is only natural for him to have died in a way that lacks in compassion and mourning (I.ii.93-94).

             It is a combination of what is mentioned above—a nearly arrogant acceptance of his royalty, his chastising Hamlet for his continued mourning after just one month, and his basic justification for the sudden death of the late king—that lead me to believe that Claudius does not mourn for the death of his brother and instead chooses to enjoy and expect his kingly privileges. This implies at wrongdoing in the death of the late king in relation to his abnormally unwavering brother. 

 Hamlet initially appears to be a good man, honest in his convictions and kind to his friends. He mourns for his father, whom he admires greatly, comparing him to a Hyperion while Claudius is a satyr (I.ii.144). He suspects that something may be amiss, commenting on the fact that his mother mourned for such a short time, yet coming to the conclusion that he must hold his own tongue (I.ii.155-164). He also treats his friend Horatio (and the guards Marcellus and Barnardo) with respect or at least friendliness, promising that he will “requite their loves” in return for their silence (I.ii.272). At the very least, Hamlet appears by no means cruel.

However, these positive perceptions of Hamlet are tarnished by Laerte’s and Polonius’ warnings to Ophelia. Polonius forbids his daughter from seeing Hamlet despite his proclamations of love, comparing them to be “springes to catch woodcocks” (I.iii.124). Laertes advises his sister in a similar fashion, saying that “best safety lies in fear” and that Hamlet’s love is trickery. Given this, Hamlet’s virtue is doubtful.

Lastly, Queen Gertrude leaves little impression other than that she is not saddened by the death of her husband. She calls upon Hamlet to stop his lamentation: “Do not forever with thy vailèd lids / Seek for thy noble father in the dust” (I.ii.72-73), which, given that her husband has been dead only a month, is lacking in sadness. She then asks Hamlet of his father’s death, “Why seems it so peculiar with thee?” (I.ii.78), demonstrating that she does not find the death of the king peculiar herself. This raises yet another red signal that something is amiss in the death given the queen’s mild acceptance of it and her incomprehension of her son’s adequate mourning.