ess of Wilson Knight's interpretation of Hamlet is his conclusion that Claudius is "a good and gentle king, enmeshed by the chain of causality linking him with his crime" (Jump, 125). Knight dismisses the murder of Old Hamlet too easily. As John Jump states, "Claudius was no impulsive offender, suddenly acting our of character. He deliberately and treacherously poisoned his mistress's husband, a man who was his brother and his king" (Jump, 125). Claudius is saddled with the responsibility for the murder of Old Hamlet, but he does not even consider repenting until the he realizes that Hamlet is planning to seek revenge. However, when he thinks about repent, he wonders "May one be pardon'd and retain the offence?" (III, iii, 67). Claudius sees the benefits of repenting, yet he does not want to give up the prizes of his sin. Ultimately, Claudius rises and his "thoughts remain below" even though his "words fly up" (III, iii, 98-99). The King is unable to repent because his prayers are insincere. Is this a good and gentle king? Not only is Claudius unable to repent, but throughout the play he is extremely manipulative of many of the other characters. When Laertes challenges that Claudius is responsible for the madness of his sister and the death of his father, Claudius deftly avoids the situation, and he forms an alliance with Laertes. Claudius suggests that Laertes uses, "A sword unbated, and, in a pass of practice/ Requite [Hamlet] for your father" (IV, vii, 137-138). Cladius further thickens the plot by adding that he will prepare a "chalice for the nonce, where on but sipping/ If he by chance escapes [Laertes'] venom'd stuck,/ [their] purpose may hold there" (IV, vii, 159-161). Claudius engineers this vicious plot, and it results in the death of Laertes, Hamlet, and Gertrude. During his reign the "kind and gentle" King concocted a plot which resulted in the death of three members of the Danish royalty, he murdered his brother, the former...
