What is Claudius attempting to do when Hamlet discovers him, alone and unguarded? (“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below”) Although Claudius was praying and trying to repent, Claudius still thinks it was worth it to do what he did, and did not repent. He only feels a little bit of guilt.

What is Claudius trying to do when he is alone on stage? Claudius is trying to pray, but he is unable to start praying because of his guilt: “My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent” (line 44).

Why does Claudius want to be left alone ? He reveals guilt. Claudius is supposed to be kingly because he is a king.

what does claudius admit to himself and the readers about his crime? he admits that he feels guilty and burdened by the way his own actions and words have masked his crime.

This is a moment of dramatic irony as the audience becomes aware that Hamlet has missed yet another opportunity to avenge his father’s death. Claudius is overcome by guilt in Act lll, Scene 3. Before he kneels down to pray for redemption, he utters a long-winded monologue in which he confesses his crime.

Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius in act 3 because Claudius appears to be praying. Hamlet fears that if Claudius dies while praying, when his soul is at its most pure, he will go directly to heaven. Hamlet wants Claudius to go to hell for his sins, so he reasons he cannot risk killing him now.

What does Claudius do that makes Hamlet hesitate killing him? He is praying for forgiveness. Because he doesn’t want Claudius to go to heaven.

He is satisfied that the play has proven his uncle’s guilt. When Claudius prays, the audience is given real certainty that Claudius murdered his brother: a full, spontaneous confession, even though nobody else hears it. This only heightens our sense that the climax of the play is due to arrive. But Hamlet waits.