Thesis-
Claudius from “hamlet,” and Macbeth from “Macbeth,“ have evil tendencies and conniving actions which lead them to their own death. * Killing the kings in order to receive the throne * Macbeth and Claudius’s one act of murder lead to several other deaths * Macbeth continued to kill which lead his entire kingdom want him to die. Hamlet finds out that Claudius killed his father which then when it was time for Claudius to die no one helped him even though he asked for help.
1. Claudius kills the king in order to obtain the throne “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life
Now wears his crown.” Act 1, Scene 5, line 39-40
Claudius kills king hamlet to become king. Then later on king hamlet appears to hamletto let him know that Claudius is the one who killed him not a snake
Macbeth kills Duncan in order to obtain the throne | “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knellThat summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Act 2, scene 1, lines 64-66Macbeth finally kills the king after being pressured by his wife and the 3 sister that told him he would be king and obtained the crown. Also after killing the king they set up the guards so that they did it. | 2. Claudius’s one act of murder lead to many other deaths to happen “How now! a rat?” (III.iv.22-23).
“Oh, I am slain.”
One example is the hamlet thought Claudius was in Gertrude closet and he heard a cry for help which got him to kill Polonius who he thought was Claudius. This happened because polonaise was doing a favour for Claudius. Also
Macbeths one act of murder leads him to be responsible for other deaths that happen throughout the play “O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou may ’st revenge —O slave!” Act 3, Scene 3, lines 19-20 Macbeth kills banquo because of the prediction from the 3 sisters saying banquos family will rule longer so he kills him and tries to kill his son so the prediction doesn’t come true and he can keep the spot. Also Macbeth is responsible for the deaths of King Duncan, his two chamberlains, Lady Macduff and her children, and young Siward towards the end. 3. When Claudius is being killed no one is there to support him even though he cries for help
"HAMLET
The point!--envenom'd too!
Then, venom, to thy work.
Stabs KING CLAUDIUS
All
Treason! treason!
KING CLAUDIUS
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt.
HAMLET
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
Follow my mother.