Final answer:
Claudius is relieved when Hamlet almost kills him but changes his mind, although Claudius is unaware of the danger he was in. This reflects the moral complexity of Hamlet's emotions and his dilemma about revenge in Shakespeare's play.
Step-by-step explanation:
Claudius is relieved when Hamlet almost kills him, but then changes his mind and decides not to do so. This scene occurs in William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, Act III, Scene III, when Hamlet finds Claudius alone, seemingly in prayer. At this critical moment, Hamlet refrains from murdering Claudius because he wants to ensure that Claudius does not go to heaven, which he believes would occur if Claudius was killed while praying. Therefore, Claudius is unaware of Hamlet's presence and of the fact that his life was just spared. The complexity of Hamlet's emotions and his contemplation over the morality of his intended revenge are central to this scene and the play as a whole.