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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.

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Q: Was Hamlets act of vengence- killing claudius- justifiable?
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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