Claudius I, Incestuous and Poisoned (Part 9, Claudius series)
Claudius I (reigning 41-53 AD) married his niece [1], which in Shakespeare’s time would have been considered incestuous. The same niece and wife later allegedly poisoned him [2]. During “The Mousetrap,” while the court views the playlet about a poisoned king, Hamlet says the poisoner is “nephew to the king” [3]. Instead of merely catching his uncle’s conscience, Hamlet makes a veiled threat upon the life of Claudius. [4]. INCEST, ANTI-TRANSCENDENCE, CANNIBALISM: In Shakespeare, incest has more than literal meanings: Monarchs who marry too close a familial relation may fear they must defend their throne from outsiders (so foreigners and strangers may not be welcome, contrary to biblical mandate). Fear and self-concern become more important than more healthy and transcendent concerns. Incest also took on great importance as the reason Henry VIII gave for seeking a divorce from his first wife [5]. In Pericles, Shakespeare will later pair cannibalism (traditionally and metaphorically) ...