Claudius Soliloquy Act 3, Scene 3
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: Claudius Soliloquy Act 3, Scene 3
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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Claudius Soliloquy Act 3, Scene 3
Claudius has just been talking to Rosencratz and Guildenstern he tells
them that hamlet must go immediately to England with them. Polonius
tells king Claudius that hamlet is going to meet Gertrude his mother
and so Polonius will hide behind the arras (wall-hanging) and listen
in on the conversation.
“O, my offence is rank it smells to heaven,
It hath the primal eldest curse upon't,
A brother's murder.”
After Claudius is left alone he confesses his guilt and says that he
does not know how forgiveness can be attained for his crime. He
compares himself to Cain in the bible as the first criminal, in
murdering his own brother. He says that he is tempting Cain with his
crime, this is Shakespeare indicating that it is very bad.
.” Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will:”
Here he is saying that he wants to pray for all that he has done but
he cannot because of his remorse. He wants to pray and tries as hard
as he can but it just is not happening, this shows you that he did not
kill Hamlet because of hatred between them he killed him for his crown
and for Gertrude.
and for Gertrude.
“My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,”
Claudius is unable to pray even though his inclination is as sharp as
will, and his determination is overpowered by his stronger guilt which
defeats his strong intent to find peace with God. This illustrates
society’s view of this crime as being unholy.
"My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent." Neither he nor Hamlet
can find a suitable expiation for a crime of su...