Hamlet 6

The contrasts between the mindsets of King Claudius and Hamlet highlight the pondering, over-thinking mindset of Hamlet. As Claudius is praying, Hamlet contemplates killing him and getting revenge for his father. Hamlet ponders, "To take him in the purging of his soul/ When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?/ No" (III.iii.86-88). Hamlet believes that if he kills Claudius while Claudius is praying, Claudius will go to heaven and will not suffer for his crimes. Claudius, however, thinks the opposite of Hamlet. He states, "My words fly up, my thoughts remain below./ Words without thoughts never to heaven go" (III.iii.98-99). Claudius is hopeless that his prayers are going to make it to heaven. Claudius thinks very briefly about the matter then moves on. Hamlet states an entire soliloquy on the fact of Claudius going to heaven. Hamlet's mind is very complex and and complicated. His thoughts are often conflicting and he often fights between his emotions and logic.