] Hmmmm.... Good point. I have been thinking about this. Claudius seems to treat Fortinbras as a misbehaving upstart child.

I think this is very similar toward his attitude to Hamlet at the beginning of the play. He seems always to be humoring Hamlet and underestimating him. When he becomes interested in Hamlet's odd behavior, he does not confront Hamlet directly, but follows Polonius' lead and spies on him to find out what is wrong.

Until the event of the play, I think Claudius underestimates the threat Hamlet presents to his throne. Claudius' reasonable, diplomatic method is so different from the moral agonies Hamlet goes through before coming to a decision. I think Claudius probably feels some contempt, or at least sense of superiority, over Hamlet because their manners of taking action are so disparate.