So how did Claudius get voted King above Hamlet?

-- Patrick Walker (criesandwhispers666@yahoo.com), April 14, 2003

Answers

Ask the author! ;-)

-- Daniel Zuko (Daniel.zuko@gmx.net), April 15, 2003.

Yes. We aren't told. But I'd surmise that it might be because Hamlet is considered too young and inexperienced; plus, that he was away in Wittenberg whilst Claudius was on the spot; plus, if Claudius knew he was going to kill King Hamlet, he could have taken time to win voters over to himself before he did the deed. Hamlet is popular with 'the general' as we are told, but it might well not be 'the general' people who have the right to vote. With those who do, Claudius could have dispensed favours and made himself seem like the best option for the next King.

-- catherine england (catherine_england@hotmail.com), April 15, 2003.

This is a great question I had never considered. I see Claud as a sort of Henry IVth, which implies the Ghost King wasn't such a great "doer". Neither is his son, apparently. So this makes sense. A father and son set of talkers get usurped by someone who sees the threat from Norway and wants Julie Christy. Can it be any more simple?

He was selected, not elected. :)

-- Mark Creech (mcreech1@houston.rr.com), April 18, 2003.

Julie CHRISTIE (spelling matters)

-- Mark Creech (mcreech1@houston.rr.com), April 18, 2003.