Act III, Scene iii

"My fault is past. But oh, what form of prayer/ Can serve my turn, “Forgive me my foul murder"?"

-Claudius (III.iii.52-53)

 This quote is the confession of Claudius' murder finally coming from his own self. He is contemplating his guilt, and deciding what to do with himself. This quote is significant to his development because it shows that he has a conscience, and that he has morals. Claudius knows that he has done wrong to his brother. This scene reveals that he is a complex character, because he is not admirable, nor is he completely vile.

• Provide and discuss an example of one or more of Aristotle's Principles of the Tragic Hero.

One of Aristotle's Principles of the Tragic Hero is hamartia. Hamartia is the tragic flaw in a character, that ultimately leads to their downfall or to a mistake in judgement. 

Hamlets hamartia is his hesitation and uncertainty. He does not kill Claudius when he has the chance in this scene. Hamlet's conscience will not let himself kill his step father without reasoning or valid evidence. Even when he does know that Hamlet is guilty for certain, he comes up with an excuse to not have to act upon what he intends. Based upon his actions, it seems as though Hamlet is uncertain as to whether he should kill Claudius or not. 

• Discuss a comparison the one of the characters makes (remember the Great Chain?).

In this scene, Rosencrantz compares the well-being kingdom to the sigh of the king. He says "Never alone/ Did the King sigh, but with a general groan." He is saying, that when the king sighs, everyone feels its impact and groans. Rosencrantz talks about how the king is like the wheel atop a mountain, and when it falls, everything falls with it. 

This refers to the Great Chain of Being because the kings and queens were higher than the ordinary humans, that Rosencrantz referred to as the "ten thousand lesser things" in the kingdom. Royals, were just one step under the angels. 

• Comment on a character’s choices. Do they seem to be leading to an inevitable end?

 Hamlet chooses not to kill Claudius in this scene even when he has the perfect chance to do so. His constant hesitation, his hamartia, seem to be leading towards an inevitable end because he never takes action upon his plans. With each situation, he has a new excuse. First he had no evidence. When he obtained evidence, it was not the right time. 

He is also unobservant. Had he listened more closely to Claudius' so called 'praying', he would have noticed that he was not actually praying, so therefore his stepfathers sins would not have been repented.