Act 3 Scene 3 Flashcards
O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; it hath the primal eldest curse upon’t, a brother’s murder. Pray can i not, though inclination be as sharp as will
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Claudius is alone in his confessional after the play and is discussing his guilt for killing his brother, Hamlet Sr. However, he does not pray because he does not regret the rewards of his sins (the crown, the queen, etc.).
Importance:
- Confirmation that Claudius killed Hamlet Sr.
- Reveals that Claudius does feel guilt for what he has done
- “The primal eldest curse” is a biblical reference of when God cursed Cain for murdering his brother Abel
Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood, is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow?
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Claudius is alone in his confessional after the play and is discussing his guilt for killing his brother, Hamlet Sr. However, he does not pray because he does not want to relinquish the rewards of his sins (the crown, the queen, etc.).
Importance:
- Suggests that Claudius will die soon (foreshadowing)
- Echos Lady Macbeth because, she too, felt guilty for murdering the king and wanted to wash her hands of the blood
- References Kane and Able (two brothers)
- He is saying he feels guilty and it will never go away but he is not willing to give up his rewards (the crown the queen etc)
Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”? That cannot be, since I am still possess’d of those effects for which I did the murder, my crown, mine own ambition and my queen.
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Claudius is alone in his confessional after the play and is discussing his guilt for killing his brother, Hamlet Sr. However, he does not pray because he does not want to relinquish the rewards of his sins (the crown, the queen, etc.).
Importance:
- This sets up dramatic irony in the scene because Hamlet will think that Claudius is praying so he will not kill him so that he cannot go to heaven. However, the audience knows that Claudius is not praying because of this quote.
Bow stubborn knees, and, heart with strings of steel, be soft as sinews of the new-born babe! All may be well!
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Claudius is alone in his confessional after the play and is discussing his guilt for killing his brother, Hamlet Sr. However, he does not pray because he does not want to relinquish the rewards of his sins (the crown, the queen, etc.).
Importance:
- He is asking God to help him bend his knees because he cannot do it himself (he cannot pray for forgiveness since he wants to keep his rewards)
- This sets up dramatic irony in the scene because Hamlet will think that Claudius is praying so he will not kill him so that he cannot go to heaven. However, the audience knows that Claudius is not praying because of this quote.
Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; and now I’ll do’t: and so he goes to heaven: And so am I revenged. That would be scann’d: A villain kills my father; and, for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven.
Speaker: Hamlet
Context: Hamlet, on his way to go see his mom after the play because she is upset, notices Claudius in his confessional, where he sees him on his knees and looks like he is praying. Therefore, Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius at that moment because he is repenting his sins and will be sent to heaven.
Importance:
- Dramatic irony because the audience knows that Claudius is not really praying, therefore, Hamlet could kill him without the possibility of him going to heaven
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words without thoughts never to heaven go.
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Hamlet has just left Claudius alone in his confessional after deciding that he cannot kill him when he is praying (even though the audience knows that Claudius is not really praying) because he will then go to heaven.
Importance:
- Shows that Claudius was never praying
- Claudius accepts his fate that he is going to Hell by not repenting his sin of killing his brother
