Examples Of Guilt In Hamlet

Kaylee Sims
Scott Cheney
AL2332
29 November 2013
Overpowering Guilt Jealously and guilt are common motives for a course of action. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the murder of the king and Claudius’ prompt rise to the throne are obvious examples of envy. But, the play’s illustration of guilt is much more subtle and is revealed through the struggle Claudius experiences with his feelings that result from a repercussion of his actions. Claudius claims that Hamlet is mad, even though he does not believe so, to cause a diversion from the brutal truth. This idea is proven through his soliloquy and attempted prayer when he exclaims “my stronger guilt defeats my strong intent.” The audience first begins to sense the falsity of Claudius’ accusation
through his request for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to keep an eye on Hamlet’s behavior. He asks the two close friends of Hamlet to “get from him why he puts on this confusion grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and dangerous lunacy.” Claudius’ curiosity in the reason for Hamlet’s dramatic change suggests he is worried his new behavior is a result of Hamlet’s father’s death. By juxtaposing Hamlet’s previous ways against his new self let the readers realize Claudius’ awareness of the transformation. His obsession with discovering where this change stems from shows that Claudius’ feels remorse for his actions. He wants to have confirmation that his actions aren’t the root of Hamlet’s emotional distress, and realizes that his best chance of manipulating Hamlet to confess is to recruit his best friends.
Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is suggested to be the derivation of his madness, and Claudius uses this idea to distract himself with the false hope that possibly Hamlet isn’t consumed with the murder of his father.
Even though Claudius doesn’t believe in Hamlet’s madness, this hope is enough to temporarily aid Claudius’ guilt because he isn’t forced to accept the responsibility of the effects that the murder he initiated has on Hamlet. In preparation for the plan for Ophelia and Hamlet to interact so that it can be determined whether or not his craziness is associated with love, Polonius makes the comment that people often mask their sins and fake affection to God. After hearing this, Claudius becomes distraught and confesses “how smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plastering art, is not more ugly to the thing it helps than is my deed to my most painted word.” For Claudius to admit these feelings proves the shame he feels for what he has done while also revealing that the words he speaks are untruthful. When this revelation is applied to the current situation, the idea of Claudius’ lies about Hamlet’s condition is proven by his own words.
After Ophelia and Hamlet’s encounter Claudius determines that Hamlet’s words “though lacked form a little was not like madness”. Claudius’ becomes frightened at the now eminent truth that he has sent Hamlet into this mindset. The king believes “there is something in his soul o’er which his melancholy
sits on brood.” The king’s words reveal his realization that Hamlet isn’t crazy, just experiencing a depression that has been caused by a greater reason. In the next breath A production is set up by Hamlet to have a reenactment of the exchange between Claudius and his brother. Through this, it becomes obvious that Claudius is now sure in the reasoning of Hamlets drastic transformation. The guilt Claudius is experiencing is also put into action as he storms out of the room immediately, proving that he cannot come to terms with his own decisions.
After the king’s reaction to leave the play, his first order is a request to send Hamlet to England claiming that “hazard so near us as doth hourly grow out of his lunacies.” It can be inferred that the speedy banishment is the reaction of the king’s realization that Hamlet is now a risk to his throne. By forcing him to England, not only does he rid himself of the threat, but now he is not constantly surrounded with Hamlet to provoke his guilt. In front of his friends and advisors Claudius still claims that Hamlet suffers from craziness to protect his title and distract them from the content of the play that was recently performed. He acts put together and doesn’t reveal his emotions to the others, but as soon as they leave he breaks down into prayer Claudius pleas for forgiveness when we exclaims “O bosom black as death! O limed soul, that struggling to be free art more engaged!” Through his prayer we become aware that the king feels remorse for what he has done, but has become trapped in his own sin, and also
guilt. Jealously is what led Claudius to the rise of the throne and proved to be a powerful motive. But, guilt is what caused him to convince Laertes into killing Hamlet, ultimately resulting in his own death. Many people argue that Claudius believes Hamlet is crazy. This idea is disproven through the secret plot to kill Hamlet. There are two reasons for the motivation of this murder. The first is that the king feels threatened by Hamlet and is scared for his life. Claudius realizes the betrayal against his brother is about to catch up with him. Because of this fear it is obvious that Claudius knows Hamlet was never crazy at all, but rather in search of a way to avenge his father’s death. The second motivation for Claudius to kill Hamlet is for him to rid himself of any reminders of the crime against his brother and nephew, but this is impossible with Hamlet continuing his act of madness. Claudius tells Laertes that when they kill Hamlet “his death no wind of shame shall breathe, but even his mother shall uncharge the practice and call it accident.” By making Hamlet’s death appear an accident, the severity of the exchange is taken away and Claudius can now never be reminded of his sins, since Hamlet’s false craziness, or rather widened knowledge of the truth will no longer be a constant reminder. This plot to kill Hamlet proves Hamlet’s sanity while also reiterating the idea that guilt is the superior motivation over jealousy.