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MY, CLAUDIUS: A CASE AGAINST THE KING AS VILLAIN.

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Date Issued:
2010
Abstract/Description:
The role of Claudius in ShakespeareÂÂ's The Tragedy of Hamlet has traditionally been affixed with the label of villain, coupled with a presumption of malice. This prejudice has plagued the role, relegating it to shallow melodrama throughout the majority of the playÂÂ's 440 odd-year history. Although it has now become more commonplace to see him portrayed as a capable, intelligent, even initially likable king, this has only been the case for the past 50 years or so, and even so the label of villain and the assumption of malice persist and prevail even in contemporary practice. While the author is reluctant to insist on the benevolence of the King as imperative, they do contend that Claudius should not be portrayed as a villain. Doing so undermines the primary conflict - that of Hamlet vs. Claudius - cripples the possibilities for exploration of the King as a role, hinders the potential for HamletÂÂ's journey, and absolves the viewer of active engagement by playing directly into expectations. Within this thesis, consideration of historical analysis and editorial tradition are utilized in order to demonstrate a progressively encompassing disregard that has led to the roleÂÂ's neglect. An account of the 2006 University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre production is used to validate the necessity of avoiding a villainous portrayal of the King. A brief description of the authorÂÂ's ideal Claudius explores the realm of possibility opened by such non-villainous portrayal, and potential for the roleÂÂ's complexity is examined through a thorough voice/text analysis and brief discussion of Jaques LecoqÂÂ's movement equilibrium theory via appendices.
Title: MY, CLAUDIUS: A CASE AGAINST THE KING AS VILLAIN.
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Name(s): Blackwelder, Kevin, Author
Rusnock, Joseph, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2010
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The role of Claudius in ShakespeareÂÂ's The Tragedy of Hamlet has traditionally been affixed with the label of villain, coupled with a presumption of malice. This prejudice has plagued the role, relegating it to shallow melodrama throughout the majority of the playÂÂ's 440 odd-year history. Although it has now become more commonplace to see him portrayed as a capable, intelligent, even initially likable king, this has only been the case for the past 50 years or so, and even so the label of villain and the assumption of malice persist and prevail even in contemporary practice. While the author is reluctant to insist on the benevolence of the King as imperative, they do contend that Claudius should not be portrayed as a villain. Doing so undermines the primary conflict - that of Hamlet vs. Claudius - cripples the possibilities for exploration of the King as a role, hinders the potential for HamletÂÂ's journey, and absolves the viewer of active engagement by playing directly into expectations. Within this thesis, consideration of historical analysis and editorial tradition are utilized in order to demonstrate a progressively encompassing disregard that has led to the roleÂÂ's neglect. An account of the 2006 University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre production is used to validate the necessity of avoiding a villainous portrayal of the King. A brief description of the authorÂÂ's ideal Claudius explores the realm of possibility opened by such non-villainous portrayal, and potential for the roleÂÂ's complexity is examined through a thorough voice/text analysis and brief discussion of Jaques LecoqÂÂ's movement equilibrium theory via appendices.
Identifier: CFE0003132 (IID), ucf:48648 (fedora)
Note(s): 2010-05-01
M.F.A.
Arts and Humanities, Department of Theatre
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark
Claudius
Performance Analysis
William Shakespeare -- Dramatic production.
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003132
Restrictions on Access: campus 2013-04-01
Host Institution: UCF

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