Speech: Hamlet V Claudius

Throughout Act I of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet's speech patterns convey similarities to those of Claudius in that both attempt to conceal ambitions and emotions. For Hamlet in public, his language appears to restrain his emotions at the moment, rather only hinting at them through subtle sarcasm or humor. For Claudius, his speech patterns reflect his attempt to create his image as the new dominant, authoritative king of Denmark, whilst attempting to conceal his motives and ambitions, including the murder of his brother, the previous King of Denmark. In addition, his language leans too heavily on the proper mannerism of the royal language and the use of the royal "we", further suggesting that he wants to develop his image as a dominant monarch and that he is quite self-absorbed in his actions. On the other hand, in private, Hamlet speaks in fragmented speeches, with multiple interruptions from his bewildered thoughts, suggesting the dominant control his emotions have over his words once unrestrained.