"Hamlet" King Claudius - Character Analysis

In the play Hamlet, King Claudius plays a main character that produces much of the conflict and troubles. King Claudius, at first, displays a smooth, proper, and respected king in his speech in front of the people. He perfectly honors his brother?s death and expresses his happiness in marrying the widowed Queen. But as he goes through his list of people to speak to, he comes to Hamlet, his nephew and now son. King Claudius shows his frustration with Hamlet for the continuation in mourning for his father?s death, and he is rude and tries to act fatherly towards Hamlet. The result is a clash but the King strives to cover his intentions of forgetting his deceased brother even though he unwisely says, ?Why should we in our peevish opposition take [my brother?s death] to heart?(1.2, lines 100-101)? That is cruel and insensitive towards his family. Later, in the following acts, the readers find that King Claudius was the murderer of his brother so that he gets the Queen and the throne...