How Does Shakespeare Present Claudius's Soliloquy

Cecilia Paz
Ms. Carlson
AP Lit.- Bl. E
5 Dec. 2017
Claudius’ Soliloquy
In Claudius’ soliloquy in Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shakespeare reveals Claudius’ deep regret for his sins using various allusions and metaphors in order to make the audience feel more sympathetic toward Claudius.
Shakespeare’s use of a religious allusion makes the audience feel more sympathetic toward Claudius. Claudius’ offence “hath the primal eldest curse upon’t a brother’s murder” (3.3.2) a strong way of communicating his sorrow for sins. Shakespeare alludes to the first murder in history, Cain and Abel, to convey how grave his actions were toward the King. Through this reference, the reader connects a murder that divided God from humans to a murder that has divided a family. This is significant because, for the first time, Claudius views his sins in the proper light, acknowledging the intensity of his actions, making the audience feel more sympathetic toward Claudius.
Furthermore, Shakespeare uses comparative adjectives to illuminate Claudius’ remorse for the murder. Claudius’ “stronger guilt defeats [his] strong intent” (3.3.5)functions to convey Claudius’

contrition. The use of comparative adjectives points to Claudius feeling more guilty for his actions, making the audience feel more sympathetic toward him. Claudius recognizes his intentions are outweighed by his guilt, as demonstrated through Shakespeare’s use of “stronger” and “strong.” This structure supports Shakespeare’s purpose to heighten Claudius’ awareness of his wrongful actions.
Claudius’ offences have been placed in the proper light and he can finally ask for forgiveness.

Claudius wishes for his “heart with strings of steel”(3.3.35) to “be soft as sinews of the newborn babe.” (3.3.36) This wish is significant to the soliloquy because Claudius recognizes his heart is heavy and full of sin and is asking for his heart to be soft and pure like a newborn. Claudius’ longing for forgiveness and purification in this part of the soliloquy heightens the audience’s feelings of sympathy toward Claudius because his guilt, and regret about his actions is revealed passionately through longing for a heart comparable to the softness of a baby. His exclamation for forgiveness is noteworthy because it underscores how sorrowful Claudius truly is, thus making the audience feel sympathetic toward

Claudius.
The audience feels sympathy toward Claudius because of Shakespeare’s use of figurative language. The audience understands Claudius’ struggle to find peace with his past, however his ability to acknowledge the gravity of his actions and beg for forgiveness makes his soliloquy powerful and fulfills Shakespeare’s purpose to evoke feelings of sympathy from the audience. x