O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven, It had the primal eldest curse upon’t Abrother’s murder! Pray can I not. Though inclination be as sharp as will

The lines you’ve quoted are from Act 3, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.”

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These lines are spoken by Claudius, the newly crowned king of Denmark. In this soliloquy, Claudius expresses guilt and remorse for the murder he committed, which is the killing of his brother, King Hamlet.

Let’s break down the lines:

1. “O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven”:

• Claudius begins by acknowledging the gravity of his crime. The word “offence” refers to his regicide (killing the king), and “rank” suggests that the sin is foul and putrid. The phrase “it smells to heaven” implies that his crime is so heinous that it reaches the heavens and is known to God.

1. “It had the primal eldest curse upon’t”:

• Claudius further emphasizes the enormity of his crime by stating that it carries the original, ancient curse—the curse of fratricide, the killing of one’s own brother. This references the biblical story of Cain and Abel, where Cain murders his brother Abel, earning the first curse in human history.

1. “A brother’s murder! Pray can I not”:

• Claudius explicitly confesses to the murder of his brother. The exclamation “A brother’s murder!” underscores the familial betrayal involved in the act. The phrase “Pray can I not” suggests that Claudius feels unable to pray or seek forgiveness for his sins.

1. “Though inclination be as sharp as will”:

• Despite Claudius’s acknowledgment of his guilt, he admits that he cannot sincerely repent, even though he may have the desire (inclination) to do so. The reference to “will” suggests the power of his volition, but Claudius implies that he is incapable of true repentance.

This soliloquy is a crucial moment in the play as it reveals Claudius’s inner turmoil and the moral consequences of his actions. It also foreshadows the themes of guilt and retribution that will play out as the tragedy unfolds. Claudius’s inability to pray or repent becomes a significant aspect of his character, and his guilt becomes a driving force in the overall narrative of “Hamlet.”