ACT 3,1 CLAUDIUS' SOLILOQUY

Question 1

quotes on Claudius’ inability to repent

Answer 1

hearts strings of steel
my crown mine own ambition my queen
double business to a man

Question 2

quotes on claudius as repenting

Answer 2

my offence is rank it smells to heaven/ the primal eldest curse upon’t
help angels/ assay
have enough rain in the sweet heavens to wash it as white as snow/bosom as black as death

Question 3

claudius in the tennant version

Answer 3

looks at the camera and smiles

Question 4

claudius in the branaghs version

Answer 4

appears repentful and distressed

Question 5

AO5 critics claudius

Answer 5

claudius is not a monster he is morally weak (mabillard)

claudius’ soliloquy gives the impression of rhetorical pageantry than sincere contrition (arnold)

Question 6

analyse heart strings of steel

Answer 6

claudius is unable to repent - no full intention and struggles to do so

highlights his duplicity as he is lying in front of God for his sincerity - appears more villainous

Question 7

analyse my crown, mine own ambition, my queen

Answer 7

the listing emphasises the value of these items to claudius and they prevent him from repenting as he fears that he will lose all these things

Question 8

analyse have enough rain in the sweet heavens to wash it as white as snow/ bosom as black as death

Answer 8

the use of colour imagery and simile highlights how claudius is aware of his own corruption and wishes for himself to be cleansed

Question 9

analyse my offence is rank it smells to heaven/ the primal eldest curse upon’t

Answer 9

Claudius is aware of how he has usurped the natural order of the DROK which makes him corrupt and heaven is aware of it

the intertextual reference to Cane and Abel highlights his murder and crime

Question 10

analyse double business to a man

Answer 10

shows that claudius isn’t fully repentant and struggles to do so as he wants to maintain his power but also gain forgiveness