Claudius Chandler

00I. full name Claudius Chandler
0II. canon ‘The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’ by William Shakespeare
III. years of age Forty four
0IV. orientation Straight
00V. social status Elite
0VI. occupation CEO of Hamlet Enterprises

00I. play by Nestor Carbonell
0II. body type Well built, not skinny but not overly muscular either
III. height Five foot eleven
0IV. eyes color Dark brown
00V. description Claudius can usually be seen in smartly tailored designer suits, though when he’s out on the town he tends to dress more casually. His confidence shines through in his upright posture and winning smile and he’s easily recognizable in a crowd (though not always for the right reasons due to his frequent drunken shenanigans).

00I. overall personality Claudius Chandler seems, when you first meet him, a very warm and friendly sort of guy. He's very charismatic, approachable and easy to get along with (that and he won't turn down the offer of a drink). He's is very eloquent and can speak persuasively, meaning people warm to him as he clearly knows what he's talking about. Behind closed doors its a different story. Claudius rules Hamlet Enterprises with an iron fist, and has turned the company away from the values and do-gooding his brother set it up with, now exploiting his powers for maximum financial gain. He can have a cruel tongue when need be and is quick to criticize others for the faults he finds in them. He's charismatic and charming and knows just what to say and when to say it. He seems very warm, friendly and approachable but, depending on the circumstances, he can take a turn for the worse.
0II. strengths Eloquence, persuasiveness…a knack for being inappropriate =P
III. weaknesses Alcohol, greed, ambition
0IV. goals To keep using the company for maximum financial gain, ensure no-one ever discovers the truth about the death of his older brother

00I. notable family & friends
Hamlet Chandler Senior – brother, deceased
Gertrude Chandler – sister in law
Hamlet Chandler Junior – nephew
Mayor Hector ‘Hades’ Tormei – oldest friend/drinking partner
Jane Eyre – I’m not quite sure how to define their relationship. But there’s something odd going on there. XD
0II. overall history Some say criminals are born that way. Others say they're moulded into what they become. For Claudius Chandler, the distinction is blurred. His upstanding, devout and privileged childhood didn't exactly hint at criminality, nor did his teen years. Yes, he tended to put partying before his studies but he was clever enough to keep up this lifestyle without too much trouble. Apart from the fact he developed a bit of a drinking problem. And got a few speeding tickets. But then, as he always said, he was Claudius freakin’ Chandler. He could do whatever the hell he wanted.

Claudius was well liked at school and was a popular figure, even going so far as to run for Student Council President one year (which, although he didn't get the position, could be said to have given his ambition a kick start). He was also a member of the Debating Society (honing his skills in public speaking) and took part in Ballroom Dancing classes once a week, making him all the more eligible a catch (Claudius was, and remains, quite a ladies' man).

He and his older brother, Hamlet Chandler, had never really been rivals for their parents' affections, or rivals amongst themselves.

Or so it seemed.

Hamlet was a noble and upstanding man, never once suspecting his brother's true feelings for him. For Claudius, however, things were very different. Despite the fact his brother had little to lord over him, Claudius always felt as though Hamlet was getting the better end of the deal. Hamlet was often told he was destined for great things and Claudius detested this; what was so special about his older brother? A typical younger sibling mentality, most would say. But it was much more than that.

Claudius' dislike for his brother continued to grow when, having graduated from university, it was to find his brother was already tearing ahead in setting up his own business (not only this but he'd recently got himself married). Hamlet cordially invited Claudius to help him in the company and, despite the fact the offer was sincere and genuinely well meant, Claudius seemed to regard it as a slur, as though his brother was implying he couldn't fend for himself.

That wasn't to say he wouldn't accept the position.

Not long after came Harry Chandler, Hamlet's son. Claudius liked him well enough, though he found playing the role of uncle to be mostly tiresome and a chore. Hamlet did not seem to notice this, for all Claudius' antics.

Soon young Harry Chandler was following in his beloved father's footsteps, making ventures into the business world and returning to university to increase his knowledge.

It was while Harry was away that the deed was done.

Hamlet Chandler was murdered.

By none other than his brother, Claudius.

Was it jealousy? A sibling rivalry a step too far? No-one knows for sure. But one thing is certain; Claudius felt no remorse for his actions.

With his brother out of the way, Claudius took over as CEO of Hamlet Enterprises, snatching the position right from under his nephew's nose. To everyone's surprise Hamlet's widow, 'Gertrude', was completely on board with Claudius' re-vamping of the company (there are many suspicions as to why this is but nothing has been proven).

Claudius can see his nephew is devastated by his father's passing, but suffice to say he doesn't feel the same. He doesn't feel a shred of guilt or remorse...at least not yet. Recently he has begun to suspect Harry knows something, but keeps brushing this off due to Harry’s continued ‘crazy act’. Despite this the worry that Harry knows something won’t leave him be.
III. sample post

The confused look Harry gave him following his last enquiry did little to settle the growing unease Claudius felt. Was that look an act or was it real? Was the way Harry was behaving an act, or was he truly mad? Claudius wished he knew.

"No,"

Inwardly, Claudius grimaced. Of course not.

"No, of course not, what are you crazy? I'm his son he tells me a lot of things. Lets see, he tells me how to be a prince, he tells me all the right shows to see because sometimes I waste my money on absolute shit and he's like 'no go to this one!' and he's usually right all the time. We talk about a few memories. Like when he took me to a bike show and I loved it or when we took that vacation to Morocco - No, we never did that. ...Ophelia...I want to do that with Ophelia..."

As Harry spoke about talking with Hamlet Senior and recalled memories the two of them had shared, he found his anger increasing tenfold. It was foolish when they were standing by his grave, but Claudius didn't want to be reminded of his deceased brother right now, especially not like this.

"Shut the hell up, Harry!"

Clearly this outburst had done little to quell Claudius' newly fuelled temper as he then moved swiftly towards his nephew and struck him across the face.

He regretted this almost as soon as the blow was struck; not that he was particularly concerned for Harry but more about what such a rash action could imply. Considering what Harry had been saying up until this point, Claudius was beginning to suspect that Harry knew something was afoot...the physical blow would surely have served to increase Harry's suspicions (if indeed they existed) that Claudius had something to hide.

SYR INTEGRA of CAUTION 2.0 created this, modified by Yols with Shakespeare lines.