In the reading, we saw Polonius' murder by Hamlet and Hamlet's mother realize and understand her flaws and faults. In doing so, Hamlet reveals to his mother his true feelings toward her marriage to King Claudius and the time in which it happened. Hamlet kills Polonius thinking it was the King. He intended to kill the king to get back at him for his father's murder. When Hamlet had the initial chance to kill Claudius, he didn't because he was praying. He felt that because he was praying he would have an automatic trip to heaven, unlike his father who is doomed to serve time roaming the earth. However, Claudius was not actually praying because he feels no actual guilt and therefore can't ask forgiveness.
QUESTION: Why does Claudius not seem to have guilt toward the murder of his brother and taking his wife? Does he really lack empathy and guilt as he displays when by himself?
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