It appears for the first time in Act 3 Scene 3 as Claudius prays to God to forgive him of his sins. Ironically, his prayer was insincere and Claudius confesses that his “words fly up, [and] thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go” (3.4.100-101). Next, the word “forgiveness” is used in the last words of Laertes. He confesses his wicked intentions and asks Hamlet to forgive his plot to murder Hamlet. However, if Laertes was never slain, it is doubtful that he would still ask for forgiveness. Rather, it would be more probable that he would celebrate Hamlet’s death and his own success in avenging Polonius’ death. Thus , there are no signs of genuine forgiveness in the whole play. This is a contradiction because forgiveness is the most important element in the Christian belief because it is one of God’s prominent characteristics. Thus, Shakespeare portrays the loss of the most important Christian characteristics by showing the character's’ unwillingness to forgive and taking revenge
It appears for the first time in Act 3 Scene 3 as Claudius prays to God to forgive him of his sins. Ironically, his prayer was insincere and Claudius confesses that his “words fly up, [and] thoughts remain below; words without thoughts never to heaven go” (3.4.100-101). Next, the word “forgiveness” is used in the last words of Laertes. He confesses his wicked intentions and asks Hamlet to forgive his plot to murder Hamlet. However, if Laertes was never slain, it is doubtful that he would still ask for forgiveness. Rather, it would be more probable that he would celebrate Hamlet’s death and his own success in avenging Polonius’ death. Thus , there are no signs of genuine forgiveness in the whole play. This is a contradiction because forgiveness is the most important element in the Christian belief because it is one of God’s prominent characteristics. Thus, Shakespeare portrays the loss of the most important Christian characteristics by showing the character's’ unwillingness to forgive and taking revenge