Relief Or Luxury

Guilt is one of the most annoying feelings. It is a mixture of regret for what you have done, anger at yourself because you did it, confusion because you don’t know why you did it and impotence because there is nothing you can do to undo it.
Claudius realizes after the play that indeed he is guilty of a horrible crime. He was not so aware of it because he was enjoying the fruits of his scheme. Nobility, a wife, a throne, power, luxury. Yet he cannot escape the feeling that will, and does, eventually overwhelm him.
“My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn? 'Forgive me my foul murder'? “
What is done is done. He cannot change his present because his crime is in the past. Claudius wants to be forgiven, partly because if he is forgiven by the “heavens” then he won’t be punished. And partly to release the feeling of guilt that crushes him. He does not know what he can do to overcome his murder. He mocks at himself asking God simply for forgiveness. Using quotations to repeat his own words. He calls his crime “foul” because he knows that he will eventually be revealed, he suspects already.

He is now in a quandary, “I stand in pause” because he does not want no give up the previledges of becoming king, but he knows that keep on living with the guilt will become unbearable. Patrick Steward performs this perfectly. He does not move while speaking, only to kneel at the end of the soliloquy. There is a bit of evil in his expression, and it changes back and forth to misery but also arrogance because of his achievements. “May one be pardoned and retain th' offense?” Claudius’s greed is expressed in the faint smile that Steward does. He wont give up his regards. He wants to find a way to be forgiven without a punishment nor loosing “my crown” and “my queen”. And again! Like Hamlet, Claudius is afraid! Of death. Being judged, as he knows he should be judged and punished, in heaven, or better said, hell. Aware he is that, against his will, some kind of action he has to take for his sin: “Bow, stubborn knees,”. And aware as well of his own character and that it will not be easy for him because he is stubborn and greedy. What will Claudius do?