Claudius

[joannekim]

In Act 1 Scene 2, King Claudius tells Hamlet to not go back to the school but stay in the palace. I do not understand why the king would do this, because if I were Claudius, I would fear Hamlet and make him leave the palace. I would feel uncomfortable seeing the son of a man whom I killed. I would even be scared that Hamlet might find out the real murderer of his father.

So, why would King Claudius make Hamlet stay with him in the court? If you were Claudius, would you do the same thing?

I think Claudius is feeling weak and wants his palace and country to be stable after his brother's death. After all, he says he married the queen to balance out the sadness of previous king's death. Claudius wants stability and perhaps thinks Hamlet can help him with handling the country. Or he is making Hamlet stay to please the queen.

[alexkoo]

I think Claudius want Hamlet next to him because he wants to watch Hamlet. I think i read it in the summary that Claudius think that Hamlet might rebel against him and threat him to give up his throne. I do not think Claudius want Hamlet next to him because he believes Hamlet can help him to keep country stable.

[franicaza95]

i think you are right to think that the king would probably want him near for interest, which is to better the country and stabilize it. i also think he might have done it cause he couldve been afraid that if he found out about him being the one who murdered the king, he would probably do anything to avenge him.

[RegXD]

I agreed with their answers and i also think that claudius found out that hamlet have been contacted by someone and he is trying to prevent that from happening. This would explain why Claudius doesn't let Hamlet go back to school.

[sarahlee2]

King Claudius told Hamlet to stay in the palace because his wife, the queen, was right next to him when he said that. And if he banishes or encourages Hamlet to go away, wouldn't that raise more suspicions? And when he said all this, he didn't have an idea that Hamlet knew anything so Claudius had nothing to fear. Claudius was capable of killing his own brother so I don't think he would be that scared.

[hannahs]

I think Claudius just wanted to please the queen since it's obvious that the queen wanted Hamlet to stay. I don't think he even thought of Hamlet as a threat. I mean he killed Hamlet's father with no problem so why would he be worried about his son?

[seongrae]

I also agree that Claudius wants to be stable. Since hamlet’s father was king in the past and had responsibility as a king. However, Claudius was not a king and do not have any experience of being a king, so it will be hard for Claudius to rule the country and win against Norway. He is making Hamlet to stay close with him to ask for any helps that he needs and become stable.

[sujeonggg]

I also don't understand why Claudius didn't just let Hamlet go back to his school. That way, it would be good for both of them, since Claudius doesn't have to fear the truth while Hamlet also doesn't have to face Claudius everyday. And I also think Claudius did this to be looking to the Queen. And if I were the king, I would just let him go back to his school since it could be a perfect excuse to send him out of my country.

[juliekim]

That's a good point. If I were Claudius, I wouldn't want to even talk to Hamlet because he would remind me of all the bad crimes I committed. He would just be a daily reminder of how bad I am. But I think Claudius asked him to stay because the Queen was next to him, and he can't say that he doesn't want him there when he knows how bad the Queen wants Hamlet to be there. I think he was just half-heartedly telling him to stay but deep inside, he wanted him to leave him and the Queen alone.

[jessicak016]

I rather think that Claudius want Hamlet to stay because Claudius wants to have better control over Hamlet. Since Claudius has murdered Hamlet's brother, he also seems to fear Hamlet's thinking and recognizes him as a possible threat to him. If Hamlet goes away, Claudius does not know what Hamlet is going to do as a next or maybe he might have already found out that Claudius killed his father. So, therefore, Claudius thinks that Hamlet might be less inclined to do something threatening if Hamlet stays in palace with his mother and him.

[ginayang]

I think Claudius made Hamlet stay because he didn't want to look bad in front of his new wife and other people in the court. Many eyes were watching him because the former king just passed away. Thus, he needed to earn their hearts by seeming like a loving father and husband. Claudius desired to be appreciated like his brother, King Hamlet. However, he was throwing a facade. So if I was in that situation, I would have probably done the same thing because I would want to higher my reputation.

[cathysjun]

I think king Claudius was just being insincere. It would make him look very mean if he did tell Hamlet to get out the palace. After all, he did marry Hamlet's mother. I think he didn't sincerely mean it when he said it, but I think he had no choice but to say it.

[cesar]

Well I think he has very little choice. If he makes/lets him leave the country he will risk hatred with his wife and unwanted questions from everyone. he risks Hamlet spreading ill word of him and he risks his place in the throne. I also think that letting him know that eh is welcome will somehow ease the tension that i building up between them, but at the same time I think that he was forced to say that more then anything else.

[michellelee]

I think Claudius wanted Hamlet to stay because he did not want to get in trouble. If he sends him away back to his university, then other people might think that Claudius is taking advantage of his brother's death and is kicking Hamlet out of the palace. So, I think that Claudius told him to stay because he was afraid that he might be seen in a negative way.

[sarahlee4]

If I were Claudius, I would have told Hamlet that he can do whatever he wants. If he wants to run away and not live in the Palace with the rest of the family, he didnt have to. Its not like I want him living with me in the first place. I would just say that you can do whatever you want, but if you need anything, Im there for him.