Hamlet Group

Question:

kristina89
kristina89
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Why can’t the King expect God to forgive him for killing Hamlet’s father?

the question is in ACT 3 SCENE 3

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Posted by kristina89 on Friday December 7, 2007 at 10:16 AM and tagged with father, god, hamlet, killing, king.

Answers:


  1. clane Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Claudius does not expect forgiveness because he is not entirely remorseful. He is alone in Act 3 Scene 3 and he is tryingto pray. He is thinking about he can pray and ask for forgiveness, but he isn't actually praying. Hamlet sees him and thinks that he might have the opportunity to kill him He decides against it because he does not want Claudius to have the opportunity to go to Heaven. Hamlet decides to wait until Claudius is in the midst of sinning before he kills him so his fate will surely be sealed in Hell. Claudius, however, can't seem to find the words he needs to pray and ask forgiveness because he knows that his prayer will be insincere since he is overjoyed with his good fortune as a result of his ambition. He has become king, has a kingdom, and the wife he wanted so he can't ask forgiveness for something he really isn't sorry for doing in the first place.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/act-iii-scene-3-summary-anal...

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    Posted by clane on Friday December 7, 2007 at 10:27 AM