Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 13 AIL 1227 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Irony of the Prayer Scene
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The idea
Hamlet spares Claudius on a premise the audience discovers to be false. Had he struck, the outcome he feared could not have followed. The one action that would have ended the play is withheld for a reason that is not true, and only the audience can see it.
In practice
The premise was false; he cannot know.
Where people slip
The reason he spares him is wrong.
Your place on the trail
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