King Claudius

E494604

King Claudius is the scheming, usurping monarch and primary villain of Shakespeare’s tragedy "Hamlet," responsible for the murder of Hamlet’s father.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Shakespearean character
fictional character
king
literary villain
alliesWith Laertes NERFINISHED
appearsIn Hamlet NERFINISHED
appearsInGenre tragedy
basedOn Claudius (legendary Danish king) NERFINISHED
brotherOf King Hamlet NERFINISHED
causeOfDeath forced to drink poisoned wine
stabbed by Hamlet
commissioned Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet NERFINISHED
conflictWith Laertes NERFINISHED
Prince Hamlet NERFINISHED
creator William Shakespeare NERFINISHED
devises poisoned cup plot
poisoned rapier plot
feels guilt over fratricide
firstAppearance Hamlet, Act I NERFINISHED
gender male
hasThemeConnection appearance versus reality
corruption
guilt
power and legitimacy
intends Hamlet’s execution in England
languageOfWorkOrName English
literaryPeriod Elizabethan drama NERFINISHED
medium stage drama
methodOfMurder poison poured in the ear
murdererOf King Hamlet NERFINISHED
nationalityInFiction Danish
notableScene prayer scene in Act III, Scene 3
orders Hamlet sent to England
perpetrates regicide
usurpation of the throne
plans murder of Hamlet
portrayedAs manipulative
morally corrupt
politically adept
relativeOf Prince Hamlet NERFINISHED
religion Christian (implied)
roleInWork primary antagonist
usurping monarch
settingOfActivity Elsinore Castle NERFINISHED
spouseOf Queen Gertrude NERFINISHED
title King of Denmark NERFINISHED
uncleOf Prince Hamlet NERFINISHED
workAuthor William Shakespeare NERFINISHED

Referenced by (9)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Hamlet antagonist King Claudius
The Mousetrap play-within-a-play audienceCharacter King Claudius
subject surface form: The Mousetrap (play-within-a-play)
Laertes conspiresWith King Claudius
The Mousetrap play-within-a-play elicitsReactionFrom King Claudius
subject surface form: The Mousetrap (play-within-a-play)
Polonius employer King Claudius
Polonius givesAdviceTo King Claudius
Laertes requestsPermissionFrom King Claudius
The Mousetrap play-within-a-play targetsCharacter King Claudius
subject surface form: The Mousetrap (play-within-a-play)