What are Hamlet's reasons for not killing Claudius when he had the opportunity?

A) Hamlet reasons that if he kills Claudius while he is at prayer, Claudius will go to heaven and therefore Hamlet would be doing him a favor.

B) Hamlet decides to wait and kill Claudius when he is in sin, without giving him a chance to repent.

C) all of the above

D) none of the above

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Robert Fletcher

24 August, 19:22

What are Hamlet's reasons for not killing Claudius when he had the opportunity?

A) Hamlet reasons that if he kills Claudius while he is at prayer, Claudius will go to heaven and therefore Hamlet would be doing him a favor.

B) Hamlet decides to wait and kill Claudius when he is in sin, without giving him a chance to repent.

C) all of the above

D) none of the above

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Answers (1)

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Azaria Rowe · Answer 1

The correct answer here is C.

After Polonius exits, we see Claudius who is unable to pray ever since he has killed his brother. He gets on his knees, but he is not actually praying. He is contemplating what he has done and wonders could he ask God for forgiveness. But repentance would mean leaving the crown and his wife which he does not want to do.

Hamlet then enters the room and he sees him on his knees and he thinks that Claudius is praying. Hamlet believes that by killing Claudius while he is praying and asking for forgiveness would send his soul to heaven and he would have accomplished nothing. Hamlet wants to kill Claudius while he is committing sin so his soul can rot in hell for eternity.