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People who expect the monarchy to pass by primogeniture (as the English monarchy does and did in Shakespeare's day) would expect Prince Hamlet to have been the heir to King Hamlet. Thus it is ironic for Claudius to say that Hamlet is most immediate to Claudius's throne because by the rules of primogeniture, Claudius has usurped and Claudius should be the most immediate to Hamlet's throne.

There is a further irony in that in fact in Denmark at the time, the rules of primogeniture did not apply and Claudius would indeed have been the rightful heir, especially having married the widow of the previous king, but the audience, thinking they know better, would consider him to be a usurper.

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The following words spoken by Claudius are ironic Hamlet did not want to kill him while he was?

praying


What does Claudius do that makes Hamlet hesitate in killing him?

Claudius did not choose to punish Hamlet for his crimes for two reasons. One he loved Gertrude, Hamlets mother too much and two, the people loved Hamlet and Claudius feared punishing him would cause a revolt.


What is ironic about claudius' last lines in scene iii in act 3?

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Claudius's last lines reveal his awareness of his guilt and the weight of his sins, as he expresses a desire to pray for forgiveness but feels unable to do so genuinely. The irony lies in his acknowledgment of his wrongdoing while simultaneously being unable to repent, highlighting the conflict between his ambition and conscience. Despite his position of power, he is trapped by his own moral corruption, emphasizing the futility of his attempts to seek redemption. This contradiction underscores the theme of internal struggle and the consequences of unchecked ambition.


What does the ghost reveal that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father?

Act 1, scene 5 Ghost: "I find the apt; And duller shoulst thou be than the fat weed That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear: 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forged process of my death Rankly abused; but know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown." Hamlet: "O my prophetic soul! My uncle?" This is meaning that Claudius is the "serpent" who murdered King Hamlet. Ironic isn't it, Claudius is King Hamlet's brother.


What is ironic about the ending of act 3?

what is ironic about the ending of act 111

Related Questions

The following words spoken by Claudius are ironic Hamlet did not want to kill him while he was?

praying


The following words spoken by Claudius are ironic Hamlet did not want to kill him while he was yet here Claudius reveals that he was not in fact doing so III iii 100 101?

Praying


Is the climax of Hamlet is generally considered to occur when Hamlet does not take the opportunity to kill the praying Claudius?

No I was not. According to the text, killing someone while they are free of sin(like while praying) will allow them to skip purgatory and go straight to heaven. Hamlet Senior (the ghost) did not have this chance to pray before being killed. Because of this, he is stuck in purgatory. Hamlet wants Claudius to have the same result has Hamlet Senior had. The ironic thing about this scene is that after Hamlet leaves, Claudius says that he unable to truly confess his sins; therefore, if Hamlet would have killed him, Claudius still would have gone to purgatory.


What is ironic about Claudius' pleasure when he learns that hamlet wants him to watch the play?

Claudius' pleasure in agreeing to watch the play is ironic because he believes he can manipulate and control the situation, thinking it will expose Hamlet’s madness rather than his own guilt. He is unaware that the play is actually designed to reflect his own crime, thereby revealing his treachery. Instead of solidifying his power, Claudius unwittingly sets the stage for his own downfall, highlighting the theme of appearance versus reality. His confidence contrasts sharply with the impending revelation of his guilt.


Why is shakespeare use dumb show in Hamlet?

to show the importance of the actions usually it uses actions more than speech just like the play of hamlet it consists of a dumb show


What is ironic about the following lines spoken by Claudius your words fly up your thoughts remain below Words without thoughts never to heaven go?

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.


What is ironic about Rosencrantz's and Guildensern's approaching deaths in Hamlet?

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's deaths were particularly ironic, because they, the betrayers, were betrayed instead. The duo tried to betray their childhood friend, Hamlet, thinking that it would be an easy feat. However, unbeknownst to them, Hamlet had already come up with a plan, rewriting the letter so that they would be killed in his place while he escaped. Thus, they that were willing to sacrifice their friend, were sacrificed in his place. Ironic indeed.


What is ironic about the pardoner's Moral of the story and his actions as he is telling the story?

nothing


What does Claudius do that makes Hamlet hesitate in killing him?

Claudius did not choose to punish Hamlet for his crimes for two reasons. One he loved Gertrude, Hamlets mother too much and two, the people loved Hamlet and Claudius feared punishing him would cause a revolt.


To thine own self be true is part of Hamlet's soliloquy?

No. Although the phrase does come from Hamlet, Hamlet does not speak it, as part of a soliloquy or otherwise. It is spoken by Polonius, and it is ironic, since Polonius is totally devious and deceptive and is false to many men, including his son Laertes to whom he speaks these words.


In hamlet Why is the king planning a celebration?

He isn't. He announces in Act 1 Scene 2, that all night, whenever he has a drink, they'll fire off cannons and sound trumpets. He says it is because "this gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet's sits smiling to my heart", but surely he is being ironic, since Hamlet's accord is patently anything but gentle and unforced. What is more, we learn that this noisemaking while drinking is a custom, a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance according to Hamlet (probably because it seems to be a custom Claudius likes--he does it again in Act 5), but a custom nevertheless. It does not appear to be a particular celebration, just a customary way of having a booze-up.


How does hamlet plan to use of the troupe of traveling players?

The players enable a number of things: 1. It makes the audience, who were fans of Kyd's Spanish Tragedy which also contained a play within a play, feel that they were on familiar ground. 2. It gives Hamlet an opportunity to comment of the state of theatre in England at the time. 3. It helps the plot along by giving Hamlet a device to test Claudius's guilt. 4. It enables Shakespeare to contrast the formal and stilted language of The Murder of Gonzago with the more natural language of Shakespeare's play. 5. It provides a device where the characters reveal a great deal about themselves while commenting on the play they are watching.