0
Hamlet's killing of Claudius using Laertes' poisoned sword is an act of vengeance, but not the one envisaged by the ghost. Laertes has just revealed that the sword which has wounded both Hamlet and himself is poisoned. He then goes on, "Thy mother's poisoned. I can no more. The King, the King's to blame."
Faced with this accusation that Claudius is responsible for three deaths--Laertes, Gertrude, and Hamlet, Hamlet immediately goes after him with the sword. ("The point envenomed too? Then venom, to thy work.") Claudius is poisoned but not yet dead (he says, "I am but hurt"), so Hamlet forces him to drink the rest of the poisoned cup ("Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.")
Laertes feels that this is justifiable: he says, "He is justly served." Somehow, this act, done in the heat of the moment, sits better with us than the cold-blooded murder urged on him by the ghost. It sits better with Hamlet too. And for all his admiring talk about his father, when he gets down to killing Claudius, he is not thinking about revenging his father at all--his thoughts are for his mother.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why does claudius jump up while watching the play?
Claudius begins to feel remorseful for killing his brother (Hamlet's father and former king); which is good for Hamlet, since this had been his plan."The play's the thing, In which I'll catch the conscience of the king!"
When Hamlet encounters Claudius alone in Act III scene iii he decides not to kill him because he is praying and killing him would?
Hamlet tells the audience that he does not want to give Claudius the opportunity to absolve himself of all his sins before he dies. He says that to kill Claudius then would mean that Claudius would die a guiltless death, which is exactly what Hamlet did not want. He wanted to avenge his father by killing Claudius in the same way in which Old Hamlet was killed: unprepared and unforgiven for all of his outstanding sins. This is what Hamlet tells the audience, but it is also probably an example of Hamlet's inability to take action. Hamlet is presented with a perfect opportunity to avenge his father, and he comes up with an excuse as to why it is not the right time. The question is whether or not Hamlet is ready to take his life, not whether or not Claudius is going to have a sinless death.
Why does Hamlet not kill the king in act 3?
Well, the basic reason is that they're not in the Chapel. The setting is Claudius's private room, the King's Room. That's stated in the play dialogue. Guildenstern says it: "(the king) is in his retirement..." It's reference to the place Claudius retires for the night, his private quarters. When Claudius left the 'Mousetrap' play, he went to his own room. Claudius prays during the scene, and apparently the idea of praying has led some people to think the scene is in the Chapel, however, the actual play dialogue tells us otherwise. People don't have to be in a chapel to pray, and many people pray in their own rooms, of course, which is what Claudius does. Hamlet is discouraged from killing Claudius because he finds Claudius praying. Hamlet is afraid that if he kills Claudius at prayer, Claudius's soul will go straight to Heaven. However, the Ghost said, or very strongly implied, that the soul of Hamlet's father was in Purgatory. Hamlet doesn't see it as fair, that he could send Claudius to Heaven, when his own father is in Purgatory. Hamlet decides to wait for another opportunity later, when there's less chance of sending Claudius's soul to Heaven.
Why did Hamlet delay killing Claudius in act 3 scene3?
Well, the actual Scene 3 of the play is where Laertes leaves for France.But the question must refer to Act 3 scene 3, the "Prayer Scene." Hamlet gets Claudius alone, but Claudius is praying (without knowing Hamlet is there.) Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius, while Claudius is praying, because he's afraid it would only send Claudius straight to Heaven, and Hamlet doesn't think that would be revenge, instead it would be more like rewarding Claudius.
What are the examples of disorder in Hamlet?
Some examples of disorder in Hamlet include: -Disorder in Society -Loss of King Hamlet -New King (Claudius) -Treat of invasion by Fortinbras of Norway -Disorder of Family -Claudius killing his own brother -Incestuous Relationship (Claudius marrying his sister-in-law) -Betrayal -Disorder in the Universe -Ghost -Disorder of the Mind -Hamlet pretending to be crazy -Ophelia going crazy
What is Hamlets plan?
Hamlet's plan is to stage a play which will re-enact the murder of his father and then to discover whether Claudius is guilty of the murder or not based on his reaction to the play.
To whom was Hamlet referring when he said Those that are married already all but one shall live?
He is talking about Claudius and about killing him.
How is suspense built in hamlets act 4?
In the final scene, Laertes and Claudius have set in motion plans to have Hamlet killed. The question is, Will they succeed? and Will Hamlet ever get around to killing Claudius? The moment Hamlet is touched by Laertes's sword, we know the answer to the first question is "yes". There are still a few moments of suspense before we find out the answer to the second.
Who and what is Hamlet talking about?
He is talking about Claudius and about killing him.
When Hamlet killed Polonius who did he think he was actually killing?
He thought he was killing Claudius.
What results do Hamlet and Laertes achieve after realizing their vengence?
They succeed in killing themselves in the process of achieving their revenge.
Should criminals be treated differently based upon justifiable homicide between murder and killing?
If the homicide was justifiable then no criminal act has been committed
What does Laertes accuse Claudius of?
Laertes accuses Claudius of killing his father Polonius in Act IV, Scene V.
Is Mercy killing humane?
The question is who has the right to say exactly when a mercy killing is justifiable. More often than not "Mercy " killings are done to relieve the caregiver of an unwanted responsibility; rather than out of genuine concern for the patient. Who gets to decide exactly when "Quality of Life" has reached a point where a mercy killing is justifiable?
Hamlet thought he was killing who?
When he killed Polonius he thought he was killing Claudius. Everyone else he killed, he killed on purpose.
Is it possible to justify a murder?
There are things that legally justify killing a person-- but the word "murder" means an unjustified killing. A killing in self defense, for example, may be a justifiable homicide and not a crime.
In what sense is Hamlet wrong in his plotting against and killing of Claudius?
++//*/98-/*6897877546017
