Claudius — Hamlet Character Profile

About Claudius

The new king and Hamlet's uncle who secretly murdered his own brother to seize the throne and marry Gertrude. He orchestrates Hamlet's exile to England, plots with Laertes to assassinate Hamlet using a poisoned sword and wine, but is ultimately killed by Hamlet.

Character Facts

Played by

John Woodvine

Appears in

Hamlet (1970)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• Claudius — Family Husband — Gertrude (Faith Brook)

  Claudius usurps the throne and marries Gertrude, becoming her husband.

• Claudius — Family Uncle — Hamlet (Ian McKellen)

  Claudius is Hamlet's uncle and the new king.

• Claudius — Alliance Ally — Laertes / First Player (Tim Pigott-Smith)

  Claudius and Laertes form a deadly alliance to kill Hamlet.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Hamlet

More characters from Hamlet

• Hamlet (Ian McKellen)
• Gertrude (Faith Brook)
• Laertes / First Player (Tim Pigott-Smith)
• Ophelia (Susan Fleetwood)
• Polonius (James Cairncross)
• Horatio (Julian Curry)
• Guildenstern (Simon Prebble)
• Rosencrantz (Terence Wilton)