Claudius, Hamlet, and Nero, roads diverging in allusive woods (Part 12, Claudius series)
Hamlet's relation to his step-father, King Claudius, and Nero's to *his* step-father, Claudius I, offer key similarities and contrasts: Many note that Hamlet in 1.2 dislikes Claudius calling him "son" so soon after his father's death. Memorable lines: KING ... But now, my cousin Hamlet and my son— HAMLET [aside] A little more than kin and less than kind. KING How is it that the clouds still hang on you? HAMLET Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun. (1.2.66-69) “Cousin" in Shakespeare's time could apply loosely to a nephew. "...too much in the sun." [son - pun] Although the name is not spoken in the play, in the 1604 Second Quarto and later editions, at the start of 1.2 (his first entrance), he is named: "Enter Claudius, King of Denmark...." In 3.2, Hamlet mentions Nero: Claudius I, Emperor of Rome, married the daughter of his brother, his niece, who already had a son, Nero; Claudius adopted Nero as a son and heir; so Nero was grand...
