Hamlet 3.3 “May One Be Pardoned and Retain th’Offense?”

Claudius is doubtful about the power of prayer to absolve him of his sins, as he continues to enjoy the benefits of his crime—killing King Hamlet to become king and marry Gertrude. He reflects on the differences between earthly and heavenly justice, noting that in the real world, criminals often escape punishment by using their ill-gotten gains to manipulate the legal system.

What internal conflict does Claudius face regarding forgiveness?

In what ways do criminals manipulate the legal system according to Claudius?