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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.

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What is the message that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carry out to the King of England?

If the King you are talking about is the King of England: He has them killed because Hamlet changes the message. Nice friends, eh? However, in Hamlet, "the King" means Claudius, not the king of England. R+G bring him several messages. At the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1 they tell the king that although they cannot find out what is bothering Hamlet they were able to ascertain that he was excited about the arrival of the players. The king replies that they should encourage him in this interest. In Act 4 Scene 3 they bring the message that they could not get Hamlet to tell where Polonius's body was hidden but that he was captured and standing outside. Claudius orders Hamlet to be brought before him.


Why is the ghost's reminder about his descent to Hell significant in Hamlet?

It sets up Hamlet's choice in Act 3 not to kill Claudius while he is praying, so that Claudius will suffer even more in the afterlife than Hamlet Sr. did.


Why doesn't Hamlet just come out and kill his uncle?

A number of reasons: 1. A king is surrounded by bodyguards who might prevent him from succeeding. 2. The ghost might have been lying in which case it would be murder. 3. Hamlet wants to kill him at the right time.


What did hamlet tell gertrude to do at the end of this act?

Hamlet tells his mother Queen Gertrude that she must repent choosing Claudius over his father. This occurs in Act 3 scene 4 of Hamlet.


Shakespeare to be or not to be?

The Shakespearean character Hamlet says the phrase "To be or not to be" as part of an immensely famous speech in Act 3 Scene 1 of the play Hamlet. Whether he "belongs" to the phrase is something else, and I'm not sure exactly what that means.

Related Questions

What events in act 3 might be considered turning points?

Hamlet not killing King Claudius, Gertrude believing the Claudius killed Hamlet's father.


What is the message that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carry out to the King of England?

If the King you are talking about is the King of England: He has them killed because Hamlet changes the message. Nice friends, eh? However, in Hamlet, "the King" means Claudius, not the king of England. R+G bring him several messages. At the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1 they tell the king that although they cannot find out what is bothering Hamlet they were able to ascertain that he was excited about the arrival of the players. The king replies that they should encourage him in this interest. In Act 4 Scene 3 they bring the message that they could not get Hamlet to tell where Polonius's body was hidden but that he was captured and standing outside. Claudius orders Hamlet to be brought before him.


Why is the ghost's reminder about his descent to Hell significant in Hamlet?

It sets up Hamlet's choice in Act 3 not to kill Claudius while he is praying, so that Claudius will suffer even more in the afterlife than Hamlet Sr. did.


When does hamlet put on the play for king claudius?

He doesn't put the play on. The players do, at his suggestion, in Act 3 Scene 2.


Who says thou art a villain to who and when?

Tybalt says it to Romeo in act 3 scene 1 line 58


Why does Claudius murder Hamlet's father?

It was an accident. He didn't know it was Polonius. He thought it was the King. O.k. in one scene of "Hamlet", when Hamlet approached his Mother, the Queen and argued with her, saying that she's evil and has no love for her previous husband (Hamlet's father, the King) and doesn't like being his Mother. Enraged, she walked away, but Hamlet grabbed her by the wrist and said "Listen to me!". She was so frightened, she called for help. Then Polonius, who was hiding behing a curtain, called "Help!". Then Hamlet, mistaking it for the King's voice, took out his sword and stabbed the curtain, killing Polonius. Claudius...Apexxx


Who kills Hamlet in Act V?

The poisoned tip of Laertes' blade cuts Hamlet in their duel in Act V; thus Laertes is the direct cause of Hamlet's death.


Who speak the famous to be or not to be soliloquy in Hamlet?

Hamlet - questioning the meaning of life


Why doesn't Hamlet just come out and kill his uncle?

A number of reasons: 1. A king is surrounded by bodyguards who might prevent him from succeeding. 2. The ghost might have been lying in which case it would be murder. 3. Hamlet wants to kill him at the right time.


To be or not to be that is the qeustion?

Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1.


Why did King Claudius kill King Hamlet?

Claudius tells us the reasons for his crime in Act 3 Scene 3. "I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: my crown, my own ambition, and my queen." So, his motives were to become king, to become more important and powerful than he was, and to marry Gertrude whom he loved.


What do rosencrantz and guildenstern report to claudius and Gertrude?

To take Hamlet to England to be killed, Claudius can't have Hamlet killed in Denmark because it would upset Queen Gertrude along with many others who still praise him even though he seems to have lost his mind. However on the trip to England Hamlet changes out the letters to say kill these men---Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The priates of the ship are told that they will be paid well if they send Hamlet back. And they believe him due to his charming personality and style of clothing which is not commender fashioned. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to the King of England and take the punishment of what was supposed to be Hamlet's death.