This scene is a dramatic peak in which both Claudius and Hamlet acknowledge their respective dilemmas. The King faces the question of how to repent and so save himself, at least, from spiritual damnation. Hamlets theological problem with killing Claudius becomes yet another hurdle and he becomes increasingly trapped by his own indecision.Claudius makes his first admission of regicide in this soliloquy. He uses disease imagery, continuing the motif, heightening our awareness of the terrible thing he has done. The King refers to the primal eldest curse, an allusion to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. This parallel is apt, not only because they were brothers, it represents a terrible sin against God -- in this case because the natural order has been violated. There is no evidence to suggest Claudius was particularly pious prior to this crime, but the need for Grace in the eyes of God would have been very important to him. Ironically he is unable to pray, for forgiveness, because his stronger guilt defeats my [Claudius] strong intent. His intent could also be his original desire for kingship, meaning that his guilt is so severe he cant appreciate the rewards.Curiously the strength of his language, regarding his crime, is only matched by Hamlet. Claudius is under pressure, both from his conscience and Hamlets cloak of madness which threatens to unmask him. Just prior to this soliloquy he was arranging for the removal of Hamlet to England, this erases one of the threats to him. Forgiveness is also important to him to safe guard his spiritual future. However it seems unlikely he is as calculating as this and he may well be sincere.The Kings apparently acute sense of guilt helps him to realise that it is impossible to be pardoned and [still] retain thoffence. He is aware that in worldly terms he can survive, using his power to shove by justice. His inability to pray troubles him deeply and he is, at first, unable even to kneel. His cries ...
