# Scene III explained — Hamlet

> Chapter companion for Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Claudius, alarmed by Hamlet's madness, arranges for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to escort him to England. Polonius plans to spy on Hamlet's conversation with Gertrude. Claudius attempts to pray for forgiveness but finds himself unable to repent, while Hamlet, seeing him at prayer, refrains from killing him, deciding to wait for a more damning moment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Morality

Hamlet's refusal to kill Claudius during prayer highlights his moral calculus, seeking damnation rather than salvation for his enemy.

### Corruption and Decay

Claudius's soliloquy reveals the 'rank' smell of his sin and the 'corrupted currents of this world,' emphasizing moral decay.

### Deception and Spying

Polonius's plan to hide behind the arras and Claudius's use of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as spies underscore the theme of surveillance.

## Character check-ins

### King Claudius

Reveals his guilt over murdering his brother and struggles with repentance; arranges Hamlet's voyage to England.

### Rosencrantz

Agrees to escort Hamlet to England, expressing loyalty to the king.

### Guildenstern

Echoes Rosencrantz's loyalty and prepares for the voyage.

### Polonius

Plans to spy on Hamlet's meeting with Gertrude from behind the arras.

### Hamlet

Decides not to kill Claudius while he is praying, seeking a more vengeful opportunity.

## Key lines

> O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder.

My crime is so foul it stinks up to heaven; it carries the oldest curse—Cain's murder of his brother.

_Claudius acknowledges his guilt for killing his brother, comparing it to the biblical first murder._

> Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven; And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd:

I could kill him right now while he's praying, but then he'd go to heaven—that's not real revenge.

_Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius at prayer, seeking a more damning moment for his soul._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se/chapters