Use of royal "we": In Shakespeare's time, when kings or queens represented their countries and talked about public issues, they used the royal "we"; when dealing with private matters, they used "I." When a monarch switches from first-person plural to first-person singular, this is a textual clue that signals a change in situation or tone. Why does Claudius continue to use the royal "we" when addressing Hamlet, whom he calls "son"?

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Emelia White

24 February, 03:07

Use of royal "we": In Shakespeare's time, when kings or queens represented their countries and talked about public issues, they used the royal "we"; when dealing with private matters, they used "I." When a monarch switches from first-person plural to first-person singular, this is a textual clue that signals a change in situation or tone. Why does Claudius continue to use the royal "we" when addressing Hamlet, whom he calls "son"?

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Fletcher Noble · Answer 1

King Claudius used the royal 'we' while addressing to Hamlet because he talked to him as a king and not a father.

Explanation:

"Hamlet" is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare has been wise in his usage of his words and phrases. He always has chosen words wisely that have meaning.

In the play, King Claudius is seen using the royal 'we' while addressing to Hamlet because he never talked to him like a father but as a king. Though in his words, King Claudius would call him 'son' but he never truly accepted him as his son.

This is why Claudius used the royal 'we' while addressing to Hamlet in the play.