Mason Eaves ENG 12-A-M4-A3_Booth and Hamlet Justifications Presentation

John Wilkes Booth

• Non-fictional person

• Assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865

• Recorded his thoughts in a journal after the assassination

Claudius

• Fictional Character in Hamlet
• Killed his brother to ascend to the throne
• Married his brother's wife after killing him

Similarities

Simularites

Both do not regret the actions that they have done

• CLAUDIUS - "That cannot be; since I am still possess’d, Of those effects for which I did the murder, my crown, mine own ambition and my queen."
• John Wilkes - "I do not repent the blow I struck. I may before my God, but not to man."

Both ultimately think that they will not be forgiven by God

• CLAUDIUS - "My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer

Can serve my turn? ‘Forgive me my foul murder’?"

• John Wilkes - "family, and am sure there is no pardon in the Heaven for

me, since man condemns me so."

Both compare themselves to Cain, the first person to kill another

• CLAUDIUS - "It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t,

A brother’s murder. Pray can I not"

• John Wilkes - "Though I am abandoned, with the curse

of Cain17 upon me"

Differences

Claudius feels that his action is selfish and John Wilkes feels that he is selfless

• Claudius - "That cannot be; since I am still possess’d, of those effects for which I did the murder, my crown, mine own ambition and my queen
• John Wilkes - "I care not what becomes of me. I have no desire to outlive my country."

John Wilkes feels as he has done no wrong and is assured at first that God is on his side

• John Wilkes - "Our country owed all her troubles to him, and God simply made me the instrument of his punishment.

Claudius from the start felt that his guilt from not being regretful is stronger than is appeal to God

• Pray can I not, though inclination be as sharp as will: my stronger guilt defeats my strong intent

Claudius

Cladius is scared by the prospect of God and despite praying and asking for forgiveness he does not think that he will be absolved of his sins.

This is shown in the quote, "Then I’ll look up. My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”? That cannot be, since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder"

This exemplifies that Claudius thinks he can not be forgiven due to him not regretting what he did and still relishing in the fortunes it provided him.

John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes at first had a good relationship with God as he thought killing President Licoln would make him a savior

This is shown in the quote: "Our country owed all her troubles to him, and God simply made me the instrument of his punishment."

Later on he starts to doubt this belief although he personlly believes he did a good thing, but because the majority population hates him which could mean God will not pardon him.

This is shown in the quote: "For my country I have given up all that makes

life sweet and holy, brought misery upon my family, and am sure there is no pardon in the Heaven for me, since man condemns me so."