He would say such things as:.
"Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death.
The memory be green, and that it us befitted.
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom.
To be contracted in one brow of woe,.
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature.
That we with wisest sorrow think on him,.
Together with remembrance of ourselves." – Claudius Act I, Scene II, line 1-5.
He speaks respectfully and honorably of king Hamlet and on his behalf only to be viewed as a loving brother. Yet on the same time he is securing his new position at the head of the thrown; something he had craved for long time. Playing his role of the caring, modest and just man on the outside he has convinced everyone around him to the point that everyone trusts and believes in his 'right' actions. Gertrude for example has such a respect for him that she is ready to marry him even though he is her brother in law. However everything he does has selfish intentions. Investigating the reason of Hamlet's madness was not for the good of Hamlet, as it appeared to be, but for himself;.
"Whose whisper o'er the world's diameter,.
As levels as the cannon to his blank.
Transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name.
And hit the woundless air. Oh come away!.
My soul is full of discord and dismay." - Claudius, Act 4, Scene 1, lines 41-45.
This quote shows that Claudius is worried about Hamlet's mental health, while in reality, he is scared of him discovering the bitter truth. It also shows that the murder is making him paranoid; he fears everything Hamlet is doing and desperately wants to have Hamlet out of his way. The king's royal assistant, Polonius, has a great obsession with appearance. He desperately seeks attention and wants to be recognized as a very useful figure next to the king. His overly curious nature which he tried to cover by acting to be trustworthy and caring leads to his own demise.
Polonius appears to be a loyal servant to his Kingdom when in reality; he secretly enjoys spying and probing around someone else's business.