English FWT

Rationale
For this task, I decided to write an additional soliloquy by Claudius in the play Hamlet, which
would occur before the play begins, right after he kills his brother, Old Hamlet. This task
addresses the learning outcome in Part 3; analyse elements such as theme and the ethical
stance or moral values of literary texts. It will do this by using stylistic features that adhere
to the characters and their relationships in the play, but also the wider significance of moral
issues.

A soliloquy was chosen as this text type allows the audience to gain an insight into a
characters true motives and emotions, and allows the audience to interpret these
characteristics, which may have a wider significance on society. In this soliloquy Claudius
addresses his motives, emotions and relations with other characters in the play, in a sense
giving insight into how the play Hamlet begins.

The audience for this text are those who have an interest in Hamlet, who would thoroughly
understand the play, and how the characters relate to each other. The purpose is to not
only provide insight into a main character of the play; Claudius, but to also allude to the
wider context in which this play was written, where issues such as the shift between Old and
New World values was occurring.

Word Count: 218

FURTHER WRITTEN TASK
It has been done. The late Hamlet, King of Denmark, and above most; my brother, has been
assassinated by my own villainous, vile hands. My heart sinks below my chest as I reflect on
what evil must possess me, what has given me strength to commit the primal sin against my
own blood, but my ambition persuades me otherwise. It hisses to me, commands my
actions, and I feel I have no choice but to follow this voice, as if I’m trapped by this unknown
evil. As I slid the venom deep down the side of his set skull, I felt as it had been nothing, no
emotion or remorse, my hunger for power devoured that. It is however with this that I pray
on the tallest altar that God will not reign terror on me, after all it has the primal eldest
curse upon it. My ability to deceive and manipulate is a tool I hold close to me, guides me to
my deepest desires and seizes everything I would have ever wanted, but this tool will melt
upon the gaze of God. Just as Cain was banished to a land of wandering, whereupon he
would eternally live with the guilt of murdering Abel, I fear the same for my fate. I hold the
power of Dolus on the ground, but above the clouds I am no more than a mortal man, with
flesh, bones and organs cast the same as the rest of mankind, there is no trickery amongst
the heavens. But I do question heaven, does it exist? Unlike all human acts we can see with
our own eyes and believe, how can we know that a God lies there and watches us? I wonder
about such things, they keep me up at night. We live in a changing world, where men would
usually fall at the feet of God, give him their all and in return secure their place amongst the
heavens, now men are not so sure. I too, am not so sure. We bow on our knees towards a
statue of God, but where is he? We read scriptures from a bible, but where are the actions
of God that he merely is spoken to have done? And if God doesn’t exist, what does this
mean for human? Where does highest power exist? A king? Me? So many questions, but so
little answers.

So what lies ahead now? Well I will inherit the throne, that it a sure fact. I will command
Denmark to whichever fate I desire, mould it to whichever shape fulfils my greatest passion.
And Gertrude. Oh Gertrude. Blue eyes like the ocean, hair smooth as the soft grains of sand,
I’ve kept my eye on her for a while now. And to think my brother could have had her over
me, let this serve as a message to all who wish to stand in the path of my ambition. As long
as I can keep this secret hidden, there is not much that will limit my potential. But how
would anyone even find out? I did the deed dead in the night, nobody would have seen me.
And if they are suspicious, so what? What can they prove? For all they knew, I was fast
asleep in my chambers.

And what of Hamlet? Oh he will weep and sorrow over his father, but he is no man. Unlike
his father, who had to be taken in his sleep, Hamlet is vulnerable, like the underbelly to a
turtle. I simply must keep him at bay, manipulate and deceive as I do, he can’t and won’t
find out the true fate of his father. But he is a deep thinker. He may question, he may resist.
Though if I have Gertrude, he will have no choice but to obey me, as his king, and late
father. Gertrude must be the tool I use to manipulate Hamlet, he has lost his father, so
naturally he will turn to his mother. Cruel, yes, but just like a wild lion protects his food, I
too will forego any action to protect what’s mine.
I now must consider how to present Old Hamlet’s death, in a manner that would not
connect to me in any form. The poison I slipped in his ear will certainly be clear, but I don’t
want to frame someone else for this murder, no, the truth could pass easily and I could be
discovered. I must make it look natural. A snake, yes, I will rest his corpse subtly by the
scrubland out of his suite, it will appear as a snake, a real snake, has taken his life. Yes, sly,
but safe, I will be free from the scene. I must now go back to bed and wait, and wake up as
the new King of Denmark.

Word Count: 807