What does Claudius mean when he says Pray can I not?

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Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will: My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; … Claudius wants to be able to pray, but his guilt is so great that he’s afraid even to address God, given the weight of his crime.

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Why can’t Claudius ask for forgiveness? He feels his prayer will be insincere, since he is overjoyed with good fortune.

Beside this, Why is Claudius difficulty praying?

Claudius does not expect forgiveness because he is not entirely remorseful. … Claudius, however, can’t seem to find the words he needs to pray and ask forgiveness because he knows that his prayer will be insincere, since he is overjoyed with his good fortune as a result of his ambition.

Likewise, What is the effect of Claudius soliloquy?

What is the effect of Claudius’ soliloquy? In his soliloquy he talks about the guilt he feels, he doesnt want to ask for forgiveness. But he gets down on his knees to pray for forgiveness anyway. He questions if he can be forgiven because he wont give up Gertrude or his power.

Also, What does Claudius wish he could pray for?

According to Claudius, the two purposes of prayer are “To be forestalled ere we come to fall,” (prevent us from “falling” or sinning), and “be pardoned from being down” or sinning. Why does Claudius think he cannot be forgiven for the murder of his brother?

Did Claudius really pray?

Of course, the moment is perfect when Claudius is praying. Luckily, the intelligent Hamlet thinks of yet another excuse to avoid committing an act which is so out of his character. Yes, he is praying, and yes, he will go to heaven.


21 Related Question Answers Found

 

What is Claudius praying about?

Claudius then prays at his private altar, although he says his sin is so great that it renders him incapable of praying. … Believing that Claudius is praying for forgiveness, Hamlet knows that by killing Claudius now, he would send the King straight to heaven. Claudius would escape the eternal punishment that is his due.

What does Claudius say when he is praying?

He longs to ask for forgiveness, but says that he is unprepared to give up that which he gained by committing the murder, namely, the crown and the queen. He falls to his knees and begins to pray. … Claudius rises and declares that he has been unable to pray sincerely: “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below” (III.

What prevents Claudius from praying?

Promising to report back to Claudius before Claudius retires to bed, Polonius leaves. Claudius then prays at his private altar, although he says his sin is so great that it renders him incapable of praying.

What does Claudius mean when he says is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow?

Claudius is saying that his hands are covered with the blood of his brother and asks “Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow” he is saying that he cant get it off, that his hands are stained forever with his blood and he will never be forgiven for his sin as it was a terrible crime to …

How does Claudius attempt to pray further develop his character?

How does Claudius’s attempt to pray further develop his character?  Claudius’s attempt to pray confirms that he is fully aware of his “offense” (line 60) and his guilt, but he is unwilling to apologize or give up his power; the reader learns that Claudius is self- aware about his evil nature.

What does Claudius reveal about himself in his soliloquy?

1 Answer. Firstly, he reveals that he has murdered his brother and knows he has committed a sin and feels tremendous amount of burden on his heart.

Why does Claudius feel he Cannot pray for forgiveness about King Hamlet’s murder?

54-55). He knows that he cannot be forgiven because he is “still possessed / Of those effects for which [he] did the murder” (3.3. 57-58). In other words, Claudius killed his brother, the old king Hamlet, because his ambition tempted him to take his brother’s crown as well as his brother’s wife.

What does Claudius mean when he says O my Offence Is My words fly up my thoughts remain below Words without thoughts never to heaven go rank it smell to heaven?

In this quote, Claudius argues that his murdering his brother was marked by this notorious curse. The use of this allusion shows his guilt for committing his brother’s murder.

Why can’t Claudius ask for forgiveness quizlet?

Why can’t Claudius ask for forgiveness? He feels his prayer will be insincere, since he is overjoyed with good fortune.

What is Claudius trying to do when he is alone on stage why does he say Pray can I not in line 42?

What is Claudius trying to do when he is alone on stage? Why does he say, “Pray can I not” in line 42?  Claudius is trying to pray, but he is unable to start praying because of his guilt. (“My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent.”)Feb 7, 2014

When King Claudius is alone what does he confess his plan is for Hamlet?

Claudius is now alone to reveal his sinister plan: he will send letters to England, a country “raw and red/After the Danish sword” (4.3. 60-61), threatening war unless they assassinate Hamlet when he lands on British soil.

What does Claudius speech at the beginning of Scene 3?

At the beginning of Act III, scene 3, we see Claudius trying to pray, but being unable to. This is the first time he actually reveals he is responsible for the death of King Hamlet. He also expresses regret over his actions, but tells us that he cannot make amends because he is not willing to give everything up.


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