Claudius

"When sorrow comes, they come not single spies, but in battalions"

- Act IV, Scene V

King Claudius of Denmark is a major character and the main antagonist in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. He is the brother-in-law/husband of Gertrude and the uncle/stepfather of Hamlet.

An intriguing but murderous man, he kills his brother the King to have his throne, but becomes paranoid when Hamlet is wanting to murder him for revenge.