Character Speech: Hamlet vs. Claudius

In Hamlet, each character's speech reveals the inner workings of their personalities and struggles. As Hamlet has just lost his father, his speech always appears somber and reserved as he struggles with his changing life and the new marriage of his mother and uncle. As the court has moved past this death in their lives, Hamlet still remains in mourning and is constantly put down by his family for his reasonings. Because of this, much of his speech also appears filled with sarcasm and slightly rude comments towards his opposers. As much of his speech revolves around death, especially in his soliloquy, Hamlet's tone in his voice is always one of emotional conflict. Contrastingly, Claudius' speech is quite shallow. His undeserved newfound power is one that is strongly reflected through his speech as he constantly asserts his power. Although, sometimes these assertions reveal themselves as an act of insecurity as he is now the ruler of Denmark when he is not supposed to be. When also speaking to Hamlet about his father, he fails to recognize Hamlet's true sadness for the loss of his father, showing that he is a man of little emotion.