Textual analysis of Claudius's soliloquy in Hamlet Act 3 Scene 3

Claudius' Sililoquy

The Guilt of Claudius

The soliloquy of Claudius in Act 3, scene 3 serves as a key turning point in the audience's perceptions of him. Until now, he has been portrayed as the murderous villain, willing to do anything for the crown. Claudius is seen as a murderer, but in Act 1, Scene 3 we learn that Claudius is not without a conscious and that he feels remorse over what he has done. However, there are many dimensions to his guilt that reveal many deeper aspects of the act and its potential effects on the remainder of the play. This research will support the thesis that Claudius is haunted by his acts, although in public, he puts on the airs of power and success.

Until his soliloquy, offered as a prayer to God, the audience cannot be entirely certain that Claudius is indeed the murderer of King Hamlet. However, Act 4, Scene 3, lines 36-72 serve as a private confession of his crime. He confesses his deeds to God, unknowing that anyone else has heard them. This scene serves as a turning point because there is now no doubt that Claudius is the murderer. The following will explore the many facets of Claudius confession.

The personality and moral character of Hamlet leads the reader to believe that his thoughtfulness is an obstacle to the quick action that is needed regarding Claudius (Hirsch, Kett, and Trefil, p. 59). This makes him appear to be less worthy to be a strong leader and supports the argument that Claudius appears to be the better person for the job. Mercer supports this idea, "Everything Claudius says asserts an image of an ordered and harmonious society ruled by a politic and judicious King; his whole performance declares that everything is as it should be" (Mercer,1987, p. 137). Mercer adds that his image of "firm but benevolent authority" adds to his villainous nature (Mercer,1987, p. 137). His personality leads everyone to question whether he could have the ability to commit such as villainous act as murder of his own King and brother.

Claudius puts on a good face when in public, but in Act 3, Scene 3 the audience gets a glimpse into the turmoil that he has been hiding all the time. We get a glimpse that Claudius may not have the inner fortitude to make a good ruler. His weakness is revealed as he faces the fate of his mortal soul and realizes the eternal consequences of what he has done. "The more we find out about this villain the less he seems to have in common with the crazed megalomaniacs and the ruthless Machivels that swagger across the stages of Kyd and Marston" (Mercer,1987, pp. 214-215).

The Face of Guilt

In the first line of the soliloquy, the audience learns that Claudius has a deep, dark secret that he has been hiding, "O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven" (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 3, line 36). This is the first hint to the audience of what is to come. Lines 37 and 38 reveal the true nature of his guilt. From this point forward, Claudius makes a full confession and names the act that he has committed murder. When alone, it is apparent that Claudius recognizes that what he has done is wrong.

When Claudius refers to the death, as having the "primal eldest curse" up it one could interpret this to be a Biblical reference to the story of Cain and Abel (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 3, line 37). His reference to primal sin stems from the story in which Cain, a farmer, commits the first murder. He killed his brother Abel, a shepherd, after God rejects Cain's Sacrifice, but rejects Abel's. This is considered to be the first crime of passion.

Claudius' reference to the murder of Abel by his brother Cain tells us something of the weight and severity that he places on his own act. He fears that his act will have dire consequences on the lives of others, just as with the famous Biblical murder. Cain's crime was committed over jealousy, as was Claudius's murder of King Hamlet. Claudius knows that he must be forgiven of his act in order to enter heaven, but he shows doubt that he can be forgiven fully for the act that he has committed. He doubts what his faith tells him, that if one asks for to be forgiven, then forgiveness is complete, without exception. When Claudius says,

"Forgive me my foul murder"?

That cannot be, since I am still possessed.

Of those effects for which I did the murder," (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 3, lines 52-54).

As when Cain murdered Abel, although God may forgive Claudius, he will have to live with the consequences of what he has done for the rest of his life.

Claudius questions his ability to be forgiven for his sins. He pleads for forgiveness, but continues to have doubts as to whether true forgiveness can come for he acts that he has committed. He realizes that in order to achieve true forgiveness, he will have to take action and come clean with what he has done. He doubts his ability to be forgiven largely due to his own inability to take the actions that need to be taken in order to achieve full forgiveness. He does not feel that he will be able to confess his actions and come clean, even if it means jeopardizing his mortal soul. In hopeless desperation, he pleads for help from the angels in his quest for forgiveness.

A Worthy King?

Until the turning point in Act 3, Scene 3, Claudius appears to be the one most worthy to be king. He demonstrates the stereotypical actions that are expected of an Elizabethan king. By comparison, Hamlet appears too gentle to take on the duties and responsibilities that are required by one in the position of King. Hamlet appears too gentle and demure to make a strong leader. The Elizabethan mindset can accept a King who is slightly unscrupulous in the use of his power, as long as he does cross certain boundaries in his authority.

Claudius fits the stereotypical expectations of a King in the beginning of the play. However, in Act 3, Scene 3, he goes from hero to villain. The murder of a rightful King for the sake of one's own power and greed is not acceptable in the Elizabethan mindset. The audience, who was on his side up until this point, now begins to see him as a wrecked creature who has committed an unthinkable act. Hamlet's wish for revenge begins to seem justified.