Theme Of Murder In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Murder is an appalling crime that is looked down upon by the majority of the civilized world, and has been for a very long time. Someone who has committed murder has to deal with many consequences that can take a severe toll on their mental and emotional state. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, he illustrates these effects with word choice and references to religion. Claudius, who has murdered his brother to steal his throne, is now being wracked by emotional turmoil. He deals with guilt, fear, and regret as he reflects upon his actions.
In the first beat, Shakespeare discusses Claudius’s murder. Claudius is so ashamed of his act that he is unable to pray, because he has no hope of absolvement. He says that “[his] offence is rank…[and] …show more content…
Claudius has a shred of hope that conflicts with the overall theme of the monologue. He desperately wonders if there is “not enough rain in the sweet heavens to wash [his cursed hand] white as snow” (Shakespeare 3.3.46-47). He feels that he has been so thoroughly tainted by his actions that nothing can clear from his conscience the guilt that he feels for murdering Hamlet Sr. The reference to white snow also insinuates innocence. By committing the crime of murder, Claudius stripped away any last shreds of innocence he had left, and nothing can return him to his former state. He also claims that the purpose of God’s mercy is “to be forestalled ere we come to fall” (Shakespeare 3.3.50). The use of the word “fall” brings connotations of falling from heaven to hell due to sins, with specifications of Satan, the enemy of God. Shakespeare is showing Claudius’s fall from the grace of God with the committing of such a great sin as murder. Claudius also believes that “[his] fault is past”, and he no longer has to pay the price for the crimes he committed, at least not in the eyes of God (Shakespeare 3.3.52). Claudius clearly feels remorse for the actions he took, and his desperation inspires a sense of sympathy in the audience. The feelings of hope that Claudius is feeling brings about a humanity that he was lacking before. Prior to this, he seemed very cold-hearted and cruel, with little emotion, and now the audience is better able to relate to Claudius. It also provides an additional level of complexity to his
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