Act 3

Claudius expresses a sign of weakness in Act 3. After Hamlet's quick thinking to exhibit a short play to grab his uncle's attention, Hamlet finally accomplishes his goal and uncovers Claudius' crime. Once Cladius is left alone to collect himself, he claims that he guilt is now stronger than he ever intended it to be. He asks: "Were thicker than itself with the brother's blood? Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offence?" It is an interesting decision that Claudius makes to pray. This illustrates his sign of defeat because he believes that his death is very near. He results to praying to save him; however, he is still anxious about the sins he has committed  since he does not know if it is too late for G-d to rescue and forgive him. At the end of the scene, he admits that his words can only do so much since his thoughts are still present on Earth. The heavens do not acknowledge his words as genuine or pure; thus, he claims: "words without thoughts will never make it to heaven."