Hamlet Act 3 Scene 3

December 11^th 2011

“O My Offence Is Rank”

            In Scene 3, Act 3, Claudius recites a soliloquy in the chapel. This soliloquy is the turning point in the play. Claudius admits his deed and remorse for his actions. The atmosphere and mood of this soliloquy rotates around admittance and his remorse.

            In terms of plot, Claudius admits of his killing of Old Hamlet, “O, my offence rank, it smells to heaven.” (3.3.36). He mentioned that his hands are stained with his brother's blood and this is similar to the blood images in Macbeth. Claudius says his prayer and forgiveness wont work because he is not willing to give up the throne and queen: “I am still possess'd/ Of those effects for which I did the murder,/ My crown, mine own ambition and my queen” (3.3.53-55). He constantly says the he is in a bad situation. “O limed soul that, struggling to be free” (3.3.68), and “O bosom black as death!” (3.3.67). Lastly, Clausius ends by praying that everythig should turn out to be well, “All may be well.” (3.3.72).

            Claudius unveils some of his hidden characteristics during his soliloquy. He has a certain amount of remorse for his evil deed, “O, my offence rank,” (3.3.36). Claudius seems to be very honest with himself about himself not being able to pray: “Pray can I not:/ Though inclination be as sharp as will,/ My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent” (3.3.38-40). From the beginning of the play Claudius is not the type of person to go to pray at a church. It is possible that Claudius has to do something to make him be forgiven of the murder of Old Hamlet. One of Claudius characteristics he has is his ability to evaluate himself..

            This soliloquy is the only place where Claudius admits openly that he had murdered Old Hamlet. After Claudius finished reciting his soliloquy, Hamlet walks into the chapel and has a opportunity to kill Claudius but he thinks to himself that if he would kill him after he has just prayed he would go to heaven. Later Claudius ponders that is Hamlet had indeed killed him in the chapel he would have gone to hell because of his unfulfilled forgiveness.