Claudius sends Hamlet to England as a precaution because
he fears Hamlet’s madness. Claudius is not yet on to Hamlet’s plot of revenge, but he
supposes that Hamlet might mean him harm. Claudius also shows signs of guilt in this
scene. He compares his crime to the story of Cain and Abel. In this scene, Claudius
prays more out of fear of eternal damnation than out of genuine guilt. It seems that
Claudius is either not sincere in his prayers or he actually feels that he is not worthy
of mercy. Whichever is the case, Claudius doesn’t think his prayers will be answered.
This is ironic because Hamlet postpones killing Claudius since killing a man in prayer
will send him to heaven.
My words fly up, my thoughts remain
below.
Words without thoughts never to heaven
go.
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