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Hamlet is presented the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius. However, he can't because he sees the King praying and can't bring himself to do it. The irony here is that Claudius is completely unrepentant and can't be bothered to pray.

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In act iii hamlet has a chance to kill king Claudius why does he hesitate to kill the king at the time what are the implications of his failure to act?

Hamlet hesitates killing King Claudius, because at the time Claudius was praying for forgiveness and if Hamlet killed him then Claudius would go to heaven and Hamlet to Hell. But his chance to kill him without doing wrong was still there, he just didn't stick around long enough to hear the rest of the agony. Claudius amended "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go." Hamlet missed his opportunity to save the lives of many and that would made for a short and heroic play without so much tragedy. Less entertaining too.


Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he has the perfect time and opportunity?

Laertes states that he would be willing to cut Hamlet's throat in a church, a divine area. This contrasts with Hamlet's earlier actions in that he wants to avoid murdering Claudius in a holy setting, ensuring that Claudius will not have the opportunity to enter into heaven.


Why does Hamlet hesitate when he has his chance to get his revenge on Claudius?

He doesn't. He is, however, disgusted with the role she plays in the intrigue Claudius and Polonius put her up to. He treats her contemptuously after he discovers that she has been helping the king spy on him. Ophelia is the most truly tragic figure in the play as she is the only one that is utterly without guilt. What she does is at the request of her father and her king.


When the king asks Hamlet where polonius is what is Hamlet's answer?

Hamlet tells him to send his messengers to see if Polonius is in Heaven, and if he is not there, then he tells him to go see if he's in Hell in person. He then tells him that Polonius is under the stairwell.


How does king Claudius react the play?

He leaves part way through. The similarity of the crime depicted in the play and his own drives him crazy and he can't watch it any more. How do we know this? Because in the next scene Claudius is berating himself for the murder. "Oh, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven. It has the eldest primal curse on it--a brother's murder."

Related Questions

In act iii hamlet has a chance to kill king Claudius why does he hesitate to kill the king at the time what are the implications of his failure to act?

Hamlet hesitates killing King Claudius, because at the time Claudius was praying for forgiveness and if Hamlet killed him then Claudius would go to heaven and Hamlet to Hell. But his chance to kill him without doing wrong was still there, he just didn't stick around long enough to hear the rest of the agony. Claudius amended "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below; Words without thoughts never to heaven go." Hamlet missed his opportunity to save the lives of many and that would made for a short and heroic play without so much tragedy. Less entertaining too.


Your words fly up your thoughts remain below Words without thoughts never to heaven go?

If you're looking for the original origin of this phrase, it is King Claudius's line in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Claudius is attempting to pray, but uses this phrase to say that it is worthless and that God will not hear his prayers asking for forgiveness because he is not truly sorry. He is not sorry because he is still reaping the benefits of his sin.


Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he has the perfect time and opportunity?

Laertes states that he would be willing to cut Hamlet's throat in a church, a divine area. This contrasts with Hamlet's earlier actions in that he wants to avoid murdering Claudius in a holy setting, ensuring that Claudius will not have the opportunity to enter into heaven.


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 decide not to kill Claudius after the traveling player's play?

Hamlet finds Claudius praying for forgiveness after the play. He decides that if he were to kill Claudius at that moment, Claudius would go to heaven rather than to hell. Hamlet decides to wait until he finds Claudius sinning, in order to kill him.


John Calvin thoughts about heaven?

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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 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.


Why doesn't Hamlet stab Claudius?

He has the chance to, just after the Mousetrap play. He decides not to because he worries for some reason that Claudius will go to heaven if he dies praying. Hamlet wants him to go to Hell.


Can a 3 year old go to Heaven without praying the abc prayer or getting bazied?

Yes it is possible as children at 3 years are usually innocent in their thoughts.


When was Heaven Without Love created?

Heaven Without Love was created in 1959.


Why did the Indians smoke tobacco?

They believed that it would help their Prayers & thoughts to reach the heaven