Claudius Flashcards
“To our most valiant brother. So much for him.”
A1S2, Claudius’ addressing the court and Old Hamlet’s death, but comes off as insincere
“Give me some light. Away!”
A3S2 Claudius’ call to ‘light’ after watching the players reenact his murder of King Hamlet is almost a call to Heaven and a turning point in how Hamlet perceives him. To Hamlet, the king has just clearly confessed.
“Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow?”
A3S3 In Claudius’ soliloquy (the only soliloquy not given by Hamlet) he expressed that he doesn’t believe he will ever be forgiven by God, as the murder has stained his soul.
“Forgive me my foul murder?”
A3S3 Claudius feels he’s fully in to deep now to turn back, he cannot repent for killing King Hamlet, as he can do nothing to save his soul.
“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”
A3S3 Claudius cannot even pray due to his sin, and ironically Hamlet is stopped from killing him due to his ‘praying’.
“Oh come away, my soul is full of discord and dismay.”
A4S1 Claudius’ soul feels completely corrupted at this point, as he panics because of Hamlet and his almost-murder (not even grieving Polonius!)
“Till I know ‘tis done, however my haps, my joys were ne’er begun.”
A4S3 Claudius is planning Hamlet’s killing in England, and until his nephew is dead, Claudius will never be happy or safe. Also Claudius loves a good rhyming couplet in Act 4 to surmise his plans/feelings (not unlike Hamlet perhaps?)
