In Shakespeare's Hamlet, what are three words to describe Claudius?

Of the many words that could be used to describe Claudius, the best might be the one that is used several times by Hamlet himself after his interview with his father's ghost. Hamlet says:

O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!

My tables--meet it is I set it down

That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain;

Shakespeare is giving instructions that the actor playing Claudius should be constantly smiling. He smiles to conceal his villainous motives and intentions. He smiles because he is pleased with his success. He smiles to show everyone what a kind a gracious monarch they have acquired. He smiles to hide his guilt and fears. Even in tense situations Claudius would act perfectly at calm, reasonable, and friendly. He would have discovered that a smile can be the most effective way of dealing with practically everybody in every sort of situation. For instance, when Hamlet is brought before him after killing Polonius, Claudius would not roar and threaten but would treat him the way a loving father might treat a naughty boy. He would smile and say in a confidential tone, "Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?" Claudius would pride himself on his coolness, his "grace under pressure," to use Hemingway's phrase. Even though he is a treacherous murderer, Claudius shows himself to be a very competent king. This may be one of the reasons that Hamlet seems reluctant to assassinate him; he feels that Claudius makes a better king than he would make himselff. (Malcolm seems to have similar feelings about Macbeth which he expresses to Macduff in that play.)

So one good word for Claudius would be "smiling." Not all villains--in plays or in real life--are smiling villains. Another good word, of course, would be "villain." I would suggest that a third good word would be "drunkard." Claudius is usually shown drinking wine in large quantities. This is not because the liquor makes him happy but because he has a terribly guilty conscience. He not only feels guilt and remorse, but he feels that, like Macbeth, he has condemned himself to eternal damnation. Furthermore, he is eaten up with fear. Having obtained the crown by murder, he realizes that someone else could obtain it from him by the same means. He suspects that that person could be Hamlet, since his nephew has the most obvious motivation along with a genuine right to be king. Throughout the play Claudius is trying to pry into Hamlet's mind, keeping him a virtual prisoner and under continuous surveillance, using Polonius, Ophelia, Gertrude, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and no doubt many other courtiers and household servants to spy on the Prince.