Tone Of Claudius's Soliloquy Act 3 Scene 3

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In Act 3, Scene 3 of Hamlet, Claudius’ soliloquy begins with a confession of killing his brother which then progresses into praying for the capability to feel deep remorse. This soliloquy portrays Claudius’ evolution from one who wants to be pardoned for his sin to one who is asking to gain true repentance. Claudius begins this soliloquy by using a metaphor to compare his sin to a pungent and noxious smell, implying that he knows he can not be forgiven for his appalling crime. In line 37, Shakespeare uses olfactory imagery to show that Claudius’ transgression has made it’s way to heaven through its strong smell. This olfactory imagery provides the conception of an immoral act. In line 37-38, Claudius confesses to killing his brother and …show more content…

The tone that is portrayed before line 51 is beseeching because Claudius attempts to ask for redemption from God. The tone shifts to dismal because Claudius starts to realize there is no way to be pardoned for his crime. Although Claudius’ offense was in the past, he uses a rhetorical question and asks heaven what kind of prayer can forgive someone for murder. Claudius is aware of how ludicrous it is to ask God to forgive him for a foul murder. At this point, Claudius realizes that he cannot ask for such a vast favor from God. Claudius conceded that he has benefitted from his brother’s death by acquiring the crown and his wife. Claudius is in conflict because he wants to be forgiven and also wants to maintain the benefits he has gained by murdering King Hamlet. Claudius shows that he is in conflict with his ego because he is greedy enough to want to keep the crown and his queen, while also wanting to be pardoned for his crime. Claudius’ eyebrows should be raised to express confusion as he tries to decide between what he has acquired by murdering or gaining repentance. Claudius uses a personification by giving offense a human attribute, a gilded hand, in line 58. Claudius indicates how the desire for wealth, social status, and personal desire can cause someone to commit crime, ultimately pushing morality aside. Although in a corrupt world where one can find their way to break the law, Claudius is aware that in heaven, everyone is forced to face the truth of their actions. Claudius realizes that one must own up to every crime that is

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