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When Hamlet encounters Claudius alone in Act III scene iii he decides not to kill him because he is praying and killing him would?
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∙ 14y ago
Hamlet tells the audience that he does not want to give Claudius the opportunity to absolve himself of all his sins before he dies. He says that to kill Claudius then would mean that Claudius would die a guiltless death, which is exactly what Hamlet did not want. He wanted to avenge his father by killing Claudius in the same way in which Old Hamlet was killed: unprepared and unforgiven for all of his outstanding sins. This is what Hamlet tells the audience, but it is also probably an example of Hamlet's inability to take action. Hamlet is presented with a perfect opportunity to avenge his father, and he comes up with an excuse as to why it is not the right time. The question is whether or not Hamlet is ready to take his life, not whether or not Claudius is going to have a sinless death.
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∙ 14y ago
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Why did Hamlet delay killing Claudius in act 3 scene3?
Well, the actual Scene 3 of the play is where Laertes leaves for France.But the question must refer to Act 3 scene 3, the "Prayer Scene." Hamlet gets Claudius alone, but Claudius is praying (without knowing Hamlet is there.) Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius, while Claudius is praying, because he's afraid it would only send Claudius straight to Heaven, and Hamlet doesn't think that would be revenge, instead it would be more like rewarding Claudius.
Why does Hamlet not kill the king in act 3?
Well, the basic reason is that they're not in the Chapel. The setting is Claudius's private room, the King's Room. That's stated in the play dialogue. Guildenstern says it: "(the king) is in his retirement..." It's reference to the place Claudius retires for the night, his private quarters. When Claudius left the 'Mousetrap' play, he went to his own room. Claudius prays during the scene, and apparently the idea of praying has led some people to think the scene is in the Chapel, however, the actual play dialogue tells us otherwise. People don't have to be in a chapel to pray, and many people pray in their own rooms, of course, which is what Claudius does. Hamlet is discouraged from killing Claudius because he finds Claudius praying. Hamlet is afraid that if he kills Claudius at prayer, Claudius's soul will go straight to Heaven. However, the Ghost said, or very strongly implied, that the soul of Hamlet's father was in Purgatory. Hamlet doesn't see it as fair, that he could send Claudius to Heaven, when his own father is in Purgatory. Hamlet decides to wait for another opportunity later, when there's less chance of sending Claudius's soul to Heaven.
Why does Hamlet say he can not kill Claudius while Claudius is praying?
Because he believes that because King Claudius is praying, he soul will be cleansed. Because of this, he would not be damned to hell or purgatory when he dies. Instead, Hamlet decides to wait until King Claudius has slept with the Queen later that night before killing him (theoretically his soul would be sullied because of this). The reason this is such a big deal is because the ghost of old King Hamlet wanders trapped in purgatory since he didn't have a chance to confess his sins.
Why does claudius jump up while watching the play?
Claudius begins to feel remorseful for killing his brother (Hamlet's father and former king); which is good for Hamlet, since this had been his plan."The play's the thing, In which I'll catch the conscience of the king!"
Why didnt Hamlet kill King Claudius when he sees him praying?
Because he thinks Claudius will go to Heaven if he kills him right then. As in many of Shakespeare's plays, the characters are Catholic, and believe that a person's fate in the afterlife depends on whether they get to confess their sins right before they die. Hamlet's father is in something like Purgatory because Claudius murdered him in his sleep, without getting a chance to confess. Hamlet feels it isn't true revenge if he sends Claudius to Heaven...he's really doing him a favor. He decides to wait and kill him right as he's committing some sin, to be sure he goes to Purgatory or Hell. Ironically, Claudius feels he isn't able to successfully confess his sins, since he's not willing to make proper contrition by giving up the crown and his wife. If Claudius is right, Hamlet could still have sent him to Purgatory by killing him. Hamlet doesn't know this, so he misses his chance. Curiously, according to Catholic theology, simply praying does not absolve you from the effects of the sins--that can only be done by a priest. (That is why they have confessionals--otherwise people would just pray and not bother going to confession) Therefore even if Claudius were praying it would not wipe clean any sins he had recently committed (including murdering his brother for which he surely had not received absolution from a priest). The idea that it might do so, and that Claudius can struggle with whether his prayer will work to do so are entirely Protestant ideas. Indeed, there is a struggle between Catholic and Protestant concepts in Claudius's soliloquy and in the play as a whole.
Why doesn't Claudius execute Hamlet?
Claudius is praying, and repenting his sins. Hamlet chooses not to kill him as doing so would send Claudius to heaven. He instead decides to wait to catch him in some sinful act and send him to hell for killing his father.
To whom was Hamlet referring when he said Those that are married already all but one shall live?
He is talking about Claudius and about killing him.
Who and what is Hamlet talking about?
He is talking about Claudius and about killing him.
When Hamlet killed Polonius who did he think he was actually killing?
He thought he was killing Claudius.
What does Laertes accuse Claudius of?
Laertes accuses Claudius of killing his father Polonius in Act IV, Scene V.
Why did Hamlet delay killing Claudius in act 3 scene3?
Well, the actual Scene 3 of the play is where Laertes leaves for France.But the question must refer to Act 3 scene 3, the "Prayer Scene." Hamlet gets Claudius alone, but Claudius is praying (without knowing Hamlet is there.) Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius, while Claudius is praying, because he's afraid it would only send Claudius straight to Heaven, and Hamlet doesn't think that would be revenge, instead it would be more like rewarding Claudius.
Hamlet thought he was killing who?
When he killed Polonius he thought he was killing Claudius. Everyone else he killed, he killed on purpose.
Why is Claudius unable to truly repent for his sin of killing his brother?
Because he will not give up the crown, and a wife he got from the murder.
In what sense is Hamlet wrong in his plotting against and killing of Claudius?
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What events in act 3 might be considered turning points?
Hamlet not killing King Claudius, Gertrude believing the Claudius killed Hamlet's father.
Why does Hamlet not kill the king in act 3?
Well, the basic reason is that they're not in the Chapel. The setting is Claudius's private room, the King's Room. That's stated in the play dialogue. Guildenstern says it: "(the king) is in his retirement..." It's reference to the place Claudius retires for the night, his private quarters. When Claudius left the 'Mousetrap' play, he went to his own room. Claudius prays during the scene, and apparently the idea of praying has led some people to think the scene is in the Chapel, however, the actual play dialogue tells us otherwise. People don't have to be in a chapel to pray, and many people pray in their own rooms, of course, which is what Claudius does. Hamlet is discouraged from killing Claudius because he finds Claudius praying. Hamlet is afraid that if he kills Claudius at prayer, Claudius's soul will go straight to Heaven. However, the Ghost said, or very strongly implied, that the soul of Hamlet's father was in Purgatory. Hamlet doesn't see it as fair, that he could send Claudius to Heaven, when his own father is in Purgatory. Hamlet decides to wait for another opportunity later, when there's less chance of sending Claudius's soul to Heaven.
What strategy does Hamlet use to reveal truth and set things right?
Hamlet's plan is to kill his uncle whose name is Claudius. He wants to kill him because he saw his fathers ghost who told him that his brother poisoned him therefore Hamlet's father wants Hamlet to avenge him by killing his brother Claudius.
