In act III of Hamlet, why did Hamlet choose not to kill Claudius when he was praying? Hamlet felt sorry for Claudius as he heard him pray. Hamlet was unsure whether he could kill Claudius on his own. Hamlet reconsidered making his mother a widow a second time. Hamlet did not want Claudius to go to heaven with a clean soul. Hamlet chose to forgive Claudius after hearing him pray.