Final answer:
King Claudius's plea to England to 'cure' him of the 'hectic' in his blood that Hamlet represents suggests he sees Hamlet's death as the solution to his problems. Therefore, he will be happy when Hamlet is dead, but it also implies a lack of courage to confront Hamlet directly.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Act 4, Scene 3 of Hamlet, the excerpt where King Claudius speaks about Hamlet as the 'hectic in my blood' who 'rages,' and England being the cure, reveals a great deal about his character. By referring to Hamlet in such terms and expressing a need for a 'cure' from England, it becomes clear that Claudius views Hamlet as a severe problem or illness that he is unable to contend with directly. Thus, the correct answer to what the excerpt reveals about King Claudius is:
- A. He will be happy when Hamlet is dead: This shows that Claudius sees Hamlet's death as the only solution to his problems, indicating relief will only come with Hamlet's demise.
- B. He is feeling overwhelmed by guilt: While Claudius does feel guilt, this excerpt does not directly indicate that his plea to England is due to his own guilt.
- C. He is seriously ill and needs help: The 'illness' is metaphorical, representing the threat Hamlet poses to him, not a physical ailment.
- D. He lacks the courage to kill Hamlet: This could be inferred as he is seeking help from England rather than dealing with Hamlet himself.