Key Quotations - Claudius

Question 1

Claudius on his guilt

Answer 1

‘O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven’

Question 2

Claudius’ admission of guilt

Answer 2

‘Forgive me for my foul murder’

Question 3

Claudius can’t pray

Answer 3

‘My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. / Words without thoughts never to heaven go’

Question 4

Claudius addressing the state about his marriage and brother’s death

Answer 4

‘With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage’

Question 5

Claudius to Polonius about Hamlet’s madness

Answer 5

‘Madness in great ones must not unwatched go’

Question 6

Claudius’ description of Hamlet’s madness

Answer 6

‘Turbulent and dangerous lunacy’

Question 7

Claudius to Hamlet about his grief

Answer 7

‘Tis unmanly grief’

Question 8

Claudius’ guilt in the mousetrap scene

Answer 8

‘Give me some light!’

Question 9

Aside to Polonius speaking of religion covering the devil

Answer 9

‘How smart a lash that speech give my conscience!’

Question 10

Claudius cannot repent but appeal for divine intervention

Answer 10

‘Help, angels, make essay’

Question 11

Claudius and corruption

Answer 11

‘Corrupted currents of this world