As soon
asexits the scene,laments about his inability to pray and the guilt he is experiencing after
murdering his brother. As Claudius proceeds to contemplate his sin and wonder whether or not he
can ask God for forgiveness, he kneels down assilently enters the room. Knowing that he has a
perfect opportunity to kill King Claudius,draws his sword. However, Hamlet hesitates and
says,
"And so he goes to heaven. And so am I
revenged.That would be scanned. A villain kills my father, and, for that, I, his sole son, do
this same villain send To heaven. Oh, this is hire and salary, not revenge" (Shakespeare,
3.3.75-80).
Hamlet refuses to kill
Claudius while praying, because he believes that Claudius's spirit will go to heaven since he is
in the process of asking God for forgiveness. Hamlet knows that his father never had a chance to
repent for his numerous sins before Claudius murdered him and does not think that sending
Claudius's soul to heaven would be adequate revenge. Essentially, killing
Claudius is not enough for Hamlet, who wishes to send Claudius's soul to hell for eternity.
Hamlet hopes to kill his uncle while he is excessively drinking alcohol, gambling, or "in
th' incestuous pleasure of his bed" in order to ensure that his soul will suffer in
hell.
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