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1. 
   cybil Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Although Hamlet initially believes he has an ideal opportunity to kill Claudius in this scene ("Now might I do it"), he puts up his sword when he realizes that if he kills Claudius while the king is praying, he will send Claudius to heaven because the king will have confessed his sins. His goal is for Claudius to suffer the same fate Claudius created for Hamlet's father, who died without benefit of confession and therefore is "confined to fires" during the day until his sins are burned away. Hamlet decides that he will wait until he catches Claudius in some sinful activity and then kill him.

   The irony, of course, is that Claudius is unable to pray because he is unwilling to relinquish what he gained by killing his brother. Though he regrets that act ("my offense is rank!"), he cannot give up what he gained---the crown and Gertrude---if he confesses his sin. He is kneeling, but he is not praying. If Hamlet had killed him at this point, he would have achieved his goal.

   Sources:

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

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   Posted by cybil on Sunday October 19, 2008 at 4:44 PM
   
   

2. 
   jamie-wheeler Teacher
   College - Sophomore

   eNotes Editor

   I discuss this aspect of the play in free, online lessons on Hamlet here at eNotes.  Please click the link below for summary and analysis, and as you continue on with the tragedy, you may wish to check in on other lessons and discussion questions. 

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/blogs/literature-101/2008-03/hamlet...

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

   http://www.enotes.com/hamlet/character-analysis

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   Posted by jamie-wheeler on Sunday October 19, 2008 at 5:44 PM