“Claudius rather than Hamlet is the protagonist of the play.” Do you agree? (MEG 103) (HAMLET: OTHER DIMENSIONS)

The question of who the true protagonist of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" is has been the subject of much debate among scholars and critics. While Hamlet is the title character and the character who drives much of the action in the play, some argue that Claudius, Hamlet's uncle and the new king of Denmark, is actually the true protagonist of the play. Here are some arguments for and against this claim:

Arguments for Claudius as the protagonist:

Claudius is the central figure around whom much of the action in the play revolves. He is the one who has murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother, and his actions set off the chain of events that drive the plot of the play.

Claudius is a complex character with a range of motivations and desires. He is not simply a villain, but rather a character with a nuanced and complicated psychology. His struggle to maintain his grip on power and to deal with his guilt over his actions is one of the most compelling aspects of the play.

Claudius is a tragic figure in his own right. His actions may be reprehensible, but he is also a character who is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality and the fragility of his position as king. His eventual downfall is a powerful and tragic moment in the play.

Arguments against Claudius as the protagonist:

Hamlet is the character who drives much of the action in the play. It is his quest for revenge that sets the plot in motion, and his struggles with his own psychological demons are the focus of much of the play's action.

Hamlet is the character who experiences the most profound change over the course of the play. He begins as a melancholy and indecisive prince, but by the end of the play he has become a tragic hero who is willing to risk everything to achieve his goal.

While Claudius may be a complex and nuanced character, he is also a villain who has committed a heinous crime. It is difficult to see him as the protagonist of the play, as his actions are largely motivated by a desire for power and self-preservation.

In conclusion, while there are arguments to be made for Claudius as the protagonist of "Hamlet," the weight of the evidence suggests that Hamlet is the true protagonist of the play. While Claudius may be a complex and compelling character, he is ultimately a villain whose actions are motivated by self-interest and a desire for power. Hamlet, on the other hand, is a tragic hero who undergoes a profound transformation over the course of the play. His struggles with his own demons and his quest for revenge drive the action of the play and make him the central figure around whom the play revolves.