This excerpt is from the play Hamlet. Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. The play, set in Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father, the King, and then taken the throne and married Hamlet's mother. Before the excerpt that takes place in Act 3 scene3 King Claudius is speaking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Badly shaken by the play and now considering Hamlet’s madness to be dangerous, Claudius asks the pair to escort Hamlet on a voyage to England and to depart immediately. They agree and leave to make preparations. Polonius then walks in to remind the King of his plan to hide in Gertrude’s room. He leaves, leaving King Claudius alone. The three themes in this soliloquy are power, guilt, and religion. Throughout the play, the reader is provided insight regarding the protagonist’s (Hamlet) inner desires and frustrations. It is only in Act III the audience learns how the antagonist (Claudius) feels about what he has done to his older brother. Claudius is not only dealing with his own guilt, but he is also concerned about his new wife, her son’s accusations, and the political climate of the
country of Denmark. The character and personality of the new King is more complex than what is first perceived. When he has an opportunity to deliver his soliloquy (self-talk), he becomes an individual with a conscience, aspirations, sins, and hope. Claudius begins his soliloquy with a statement regarding his sin when he states, “O, my offense is rank it smells to heaven” (III. iii. 40). At first, his confession appears to be coming from a humble and contrite heart. It is evident Claudius fears retribution from God and wants God to forgive him of his sins. A true Christian prays ...
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country of Denmark. The character and personality of the new King is more complex than what is first perceived. When he has an opportunity to deliver his soliloquy (self-talk), he becomes an individual with a conscience, aspirations, sins, and hope. Claudius begins his soliloquy with a statement regarding his sin when he states, “O, my offense is rank it smells to heaven” (III. iii. 40). At first, his confession appears to be coming from a humble and contrite heart. It is evident Claudius fears retribution from God and wants God to forgive him of his sins. A true Christian prays to confess, seeks mercy, and begs forgiveness for transgressions; however, the new King of Denmark attempts to bargain with God. Since Claudius is a powerful and manipulative politician, he is used to others being subservient to him. He expects God to allow him to negotiate the penance for the premeditated murder of his brother. Claudius is guilty of the murder of his brother and King; therefore, he does not expect God to be merciful to him. He not only commits murder, but he also commits treason. Claudius is not a novice regarding the scriptures since he compares his transgression to the first murder. He confesses, “It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder” (III. iii. 41-42). He further laments, “My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; / And, like a man to double business bound, / I stand in pause where I shall first begin, / And both neglect” (III. iii. 44-47). Claudius prefers to forget the incident and continue his rule; however, his guilt is a problem he must deal with quickly. He also has to deal with the other part of the “double business bound” (III. iii. 46). His stepson has a plan for revenge, and he is concerned about the effects of the plan on his future life and plans for Denmark. Claudius is no different from a modern day politician. He has a private and public persona and is more concerned with his public life than his private life. The King’s primary concern becomes evident when he prays, “My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”? / That cannot be; since I am still possessed / Of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition and my queen. / May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense?” (III. iii. 55-60). The King is honest about his feelings and finally speaks the truth regarding his ambition. Claudius’ mind is tortured by his sin; however, his guilty feelings are not sufficient enough for true repentance. His concerns appear similar to those of a shrewd politician who looks for a spin that will pass public inspection. Another facet of Claudius’ personality is his ability to remain “lucid, orderly, composed, and able to regard his sin as an external matter of inconvenience rather than spiritual affliction” (Gilbert 229). He is still trying to find a way to make the guilt disappear. Claudius remarks, “What if this cursed hand / Were thicker than itself with brother's blood? / Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens / To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy / But to confront the visage of offense?” (III. iii. 47-51). Again, he questions God’s plan regarding mercy and redemption. The King is unconcerned about the actual act of murder; however, he is bothered by the consequences of the premeditated murder. Claudius accepts the benefits (crown, ambition, and Queen) of the murder and would not even think of repenting except he knows he cannot escape the consequences of his offense. He realizes he cannot repent; this becomes clear to the reader when he declares, “Pray can I not, / Though inclination be as sharp as will” (III. iii. 42-43). Claudius wants a mind repentance without a heart transformation. His conscience disturbs him, and he wants immediate relief from the burden of his transgression. The King of Denmark is a powerful ruler and accepts his fate. He prefers the incident be concluded so he can get on with his task of ruling Denmark. Claudius has concerns about the actual state of the country; he wants Denmark to prosper and his kingdom to continue as a strong country. It would not be inconceivable for Claudius to want his own son to be heir to the throne of Denmark. However, this is only a dream, and it is ironic that Claudius dies by the same sword that kills Laertes and Hamlet. Moreover, he wants to repent but cannot bring himself to beg for forgiveness. Claudius’ conduct is not unusual since most murderers do not regret their crime until they are caught and prosecuted. The powerful King finally abandons all his pride and begs, “O limed soul, that, struggling to be free, / Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay! / Bow, stubborn knees; and, heart with strings of steel, / Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe!” (III. iii. 72-75). Claudius strives to find the right words for his petition to God. He makes a final plea to the angels for his heart to be made contrite and pure. The King has hope his prayers will be answered when he reminds himself, “All may be well” (III. iii. 76). Claudius’ one “great virtue is that he never gives up and shows extraordinary resourcefulness in the most appalling situations that would break lesser men” (Gilbert 231).
