Smuckers Co. Case Analysis free essay sample

Mission/Vision Analysis The Smucker mission statement (appendix) is weak from an investment standpoint. It is clearly targeted at the consumer. It vaguely mentions cultural values and a tradition of â€Å"success† not measured financially but by factors such as an impact on society. The vision statement is concise and clearly states Smucker’s objectives of growth, ethics, independence, and quality that will guide all future strategies. Their vision statement gives Smucker’s an opportunity to inform future investors on their intention to grow. External analysis In February 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters to more than a dozen food or beverage manufacturers, looking for them to correct or change such label items as health or nutrient claims. In the future, product labeling and advertising will receive additional reviews from the FDA, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other agencies† (Graves). For Smucker’s this will translate as increased research and development costs as they strive to meet the health and wellness needs of the US consumer. We will write a custom essay sample on Smuckers Co. Case Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This is an opportunity for Smucker’s to be an industry leader in more healthful processed food choices. It will be costly preemptively taking measures to ensure labels are up to the FDA’s standards will save us money in the future. Currently, the state of the recovering economy is a major threat to Smucker’s market share for processed goods. Consumer confidence is low and commodity prices are on the rise (table 1). Unemployment rose from 9. 3 in 2009 to 9. 6 in 2010, this coupled with weakness in the job, real estate, and stock markets, and a large population approaching retirement, has made US consumers more cautious about spending. Price sensitive buyers are likely to continue buying less expensive private label products. The increased value of personal health in American society is an opportunity for Smuckers. Many manufacturers promote both what their products contain (e. g. , antioxidants) and what they don’t (e. g. , trans fats). Several companies such as Cambell Soup have reformulated their foods to lessen the amount of sugar and salts in them. This trend is an opportunity for Smuckers to develop new product lines with healthier options. The increased inventory and price monitoring capabilities of large retailers poses a threat to Smucker’s in a competitively priced environment. This technology allows retailers to see what consumers are buying and what price differential it took to get them to switch from name brand to private brand products. Technology is also changing the way people shop. Websites and apps allow cost-conscious consumers to create and manage shopping lists, count calories as they shop, and stay on budget. By putting coupons and promotions on the web we will not have to compete for attention at the point of purchase. Developing markets like China, India, and Brazil, offer long-term opportunities for higher sales and profits. Income growth and lifestyle changes such as more women in the work place will increase the appeal of the packaged goods that are popular in more developed markets. Because the retailers in America have so much power and are quickly gaining economies of scale, the opportunity for manufacturers overseas is attractive. The USDA’s low expectation for crop yields in the US in 2010, drought and heat hurting the Russian wheat crop, and higher demand for food in developing markets caused the commodities prices to rise (Graves). Obviously, such fluctuation in the cost of direct materials is threatening to the price structure of Smucker’s. However, entering into a contract with suppliers could be an opportunity for an advantage if prices continue to rise at a steady pace. Industry Analysis The processed foods industry is highly consolidated. There are three factors causing this—rapidly consolidating retail outlets, slowed growth in the food sector, and increased competition between brand name and private label products. 70 percent of industry sales are accounted for by Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Supervalu/Albertson’s, and Ahold USA. This gives them a large advantage as far as buying power and allows them to demand slotting fees for good shelf space in their isles. The growth rate in the food industry in developed markets hung around 2 percent whereas in developing markets, the growth rate was around 3-4 percent. Developments in inventory monitoring technologies, increased capabilities to match brand name quality, and scale economies shifted power decisively towards retailers and escaladed competition with manufactures. For a list of Smucker’s competitors see table 3. Internal analysis (non-financial) The company operates 4 divisions (see Table 2). Their three part corporate strategy consisted of growing the market share of its existing brands, introducing new products, and making strategic acquisitions such as the 2009 acquisition of Foldgers. Smucker’s spent between $50 million and $77 annually between 2006 and 2009 on advertising. In 2010, they increased this by 70 percent to $131 million, developed 15 new commercials, and utilized digital marketing through search based ads, banner ads, and adds on social media sites. Financial In 2010 gross profit increased by 43 percent from 2009, and improved to 38. 8 percent of net sales from 33. percent over the same period (exhibit 1). Much improvement is due to the Folgers acquisition business and other coffee-related impacts in 2010 compared to 2009, such as low Green Coffee costs and volume-related plant efficiencies. Driven by gross profit improvements, operating income increased 75 percent in 2010 compared to 2009, and improved from 12. 0 percent to 17. 2 percent of net sal es (Annual). Restructuring, merger, integration costs were $43. 5 million lower in 2010 compared to 2009, as integration activities related to Folgers were near completion and restructuring costs had minimal impact. Broad general environment For packaged food manufacturers, higher food commodity prices heighten the prospect of profit margin pressure ahead. Demand has risen but price elasticity remains strong for this reason, it would be unwise to adjust prices to absorb the rising costs of commodities. In the processed foods industry, consolidation will continue for both retailers and manufacturers. Growth will continue to be higher in developing markets than in developed markets. Critical Issues The increased buying power of retail chains presents a threat to Smuckers. As they have an increased ability to charge stocking fees and make quality products for much less than we are able to. Another critical issue is the increasing price of commodities (Table 1). Objectives The strategic objectives are to increase the market share of its existing brands, introduce new products, and make strategic acquisitions. Financially, Smucker’s should increase its gross profit by 50% in 2010 and increase its market value by 2 million in order to overtake Hersey’s Co. (Table 3). Alternatives The first alternative is to invest in the developing market of India. The second alternative is to focus on developed markets and increase advertising. The third alternative is a supply contract with suppliers to lock in commodity prices. Analysis of Alternatives The advantage of expanding into the Indian market would be the increased sales revenue and the long term growth of the processed foods industry in developing markets. The disadvantages would be the increased costs of distribution and research. The risks would be to lose money in more than two consecutive periods after having invested in this or having a competitor enter into the market. The obstacles would be the Indian culture and developing a product that would be widely accepted. The advantage of protecting our market share with advertising is increased gross profits and higher customer retention. The disadvantage would be that if we don’t meet our sales goal, we will have lost a significant amount of money. The risk is that we have already invested a company record in advertising in 2010. The obstacle to this would be that we would not have any room to adjust the price down to compete with private brands as we would have to cover extra marketing costs.

Ouranosaurus - Facts and Figures

Ouranosaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Ouranosaurus (Greek for brave lizard); pronounced ore-ANN-oh-SORE-us Habitat: Plains of northern Africa Historical Period: Middle Cretaceous (115-100 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 23 feet long and four tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Row of spines jutting out from backbone; horned beak About Ouranosaurus Once considered to be a close relative of Iguanodon, paleontologists have now classified Ouranosaurus as a type of hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur)albeit one with a major difference. This plant-eater had rows of spines jutting out vertically from its backbone, which has fueled speculation that it may have sported a sail of skin, like the contemporary Spinosaurus or the much earlier pelycosaur Dimetrodon. However, some paleontologists maintain that Ouranosaurus didnt have a sail at all, but a flattened hump, rather like that of a camel. If Ouranosaurus did in fact possess a sail (or even a hump) the logical question is, why? As with other sailed reptiles, this structure may have evolved as a temperature-regulation device (assuming that Ouranosaurus had a cold-blooded rather than a warm-blooded metabolism), and it may also have been a sexually selected characteristic (that is, Ouranosaurus males with bigger sails had the opportunity to mate with more females). A fatty hump, on the other hand, might have served as a valuable reserve of food and water, the same function as it serves in modern camels. One lesser-known feature of Ouranosaurus is the shape of this dinosaurs head: it was unusually long and flat for a hadrosaur, and lacking any of the ornamentation of later duck-billed dinosaurs (such as the elaborate crests of Parasaurolophus and Corythosaurus) save for a slight ridge over the eyes. Like other hadrosaurs, the four-ton Ouranosaurus may have been capable of running away from predators on its two hind feet, which presumably would have imperiled the lives of any smaller theropods or ornithopods in the immediate vicinity!

Alessandro Volta - Inventor of the Voltaic Pile

Alessandro Volta - Inventor of the Voltaic Pile In 1800, Alessandro Volta of Italy built the voltaic pile and discovered the first practical method of generating electricity. Count Volta also made discoveries in electrostatics, meteorology and pneumatics. His most famous invention, however, is the first battery. Alessandro Volta - Background Alessandro Volta was born in Como, Italy in 1745. In 1774, he was appointed as professor of physics at the Royal School in Como. While at the Royal School, Alessandro Volta designed his first invention the electrophorus in 1774, a device that produced static electricity. For years at Como, he studied and experimented with atmospheric electricity by igniting static sparks. In 1779, Alessandro Volta was appointed professor of physics at the University of Pavia and it was while there that he invented his most famous invention, the voltaic pile. Alessandro Volta - Voltaic Pile Constructed of alternating discs of zinc and copper, with pieces of cardboard soaked in brine between the metals, the voltaic pile produced electrical current. The metallic conducting arc was used to carry the electricity over a greater distance. Alessandro Voltas voltaic pile was the first battery that produced a reliable, steady current of electricity. Alessandro Volta - Luigi Galvani One contemporary of Alessandro Volta was Luigi Galvani, in fact, it was Voltas disagreement with Galvanis theory of galvanic responses (animal tissue contained a form of electricity) that led Volta to build the voltaic pile to prove that electricity did not come from the animal tissue but was generated by the contact of different metals, brass and iron, in a moist environment. Ironically, both scientists were right. Named In Honor of Alessandro Volta Volt - The unit of electromotive force, or difference of potential, which will cause a current of one ampere to flow through a resistance of one ohm. Named for Italian physicist Alessandro Volta.Photovoltaic - Photovoltaic are systems that convert light energy into electricity. The term photo is a stem from the Greek phos, which means light. Volt is named for Alessandro Volta, a pioneer in the study of electricity.

Ted Cruz for President Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ted Cruz for President - Essay Example The website takes into considerations Christian conservatives. His address littered with the types of rhetoric that appeal to the credulous in America. He stated that God’s blessings had been with America from the beginning and God is not done with America. He drives his support by calling on millions of conservatives who rose to reignite the promise of America. His words and zeal give hope that seems unattainable (TedCruz 1). He tends to give people promises that seem unrealistic. He advocates for change by promising on new ideas. His strategy aligns with an agitation for the rights of the minority, or instance, are the religious conservatives. The conservatives follow the Bible teachings and expect everyone to conform (Cruz for president 1). They create an ideal society of Christianity. His campaigns have the themes of developing tougher immigration laws, the right to bear arms, a more robust foreign policy, and an end to Obamacare. He raps all his motives in the flag of American exceptionalism, divine providence, and naked nationalism (Cruz for president 1). Americans view his ideas and philosophies differently. Most Americans believe that where he wants to take them is where they came from some centuries back. For instance, a society with sexual inequality and with women denied the right over their bodies. In his campaign website, he ludicrously lists the repeal of the Obamacare as the primary thing that Americans need to do to restore the economic opportunity. He is also fighting for the end to ethanol subsidies and an end in the Export-Import Bank. He positions himself as real small government opponent of the called crony capitalism (Cruz for president 1). He, therefore, helps in the fight for a socialist society. Cruz also calls for the fight for traditional marriage. He gives hope to the minority. His ideas seem to vary with other candidates as stands out with an aim of coming up with

Calculation of Values Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Calculation of Values - Essay Example The following data are considered not valid for analysis: results that were reported erroneously (reporting errors) such as data with inappropriate units and "results reported as approximately 10, 100 or 1000 times greater or smaller than the majority of submitted results" (Croucher, 2004); results reported as not detected (n.d.); and results from participants not quoting a percentage recovery. Aside from these non-valid data, each report has the following points to be considered for removal of non-valid data. Results for total fat recorded without any reference to the use of an acid hydrolysis step; and nitrogen results that appeared to be for protein i.e. results approximately a factor of 6 greater than the majority of results (Knaggs, 2004a). Results reported as 0 ug/kg; results from participants not quoting a percentage recovery or stating na, EXCEPT for total AF, where participants submitted results that were the sum of their recovery corrected individual aflatoxins (Walker, 2005). Participants reporting not detected and subsequently assigned a result of 0g/kg; results from participants whose recovery is outside the range 70-110%; and results below the stated LOQ including results with no LOQ stated (Leach, 2005). The value of p estimates the limits ... t of 0g/kg; results from participants whose recovery is outside the range 70-110%; and results below the stated LOQ including results with no LOQ stated (Leach, 2005). ii) Minimizing the influence of outliers by the use of a robust statistical procedure to derive the mean iii) Normality (Kolmogorov - Smirnov test), or otherwise, of the distribution of the results is considered. iv) Assessment of the standard uncertainty () of the robust mean = /n, = the standard deviation of the robust mean n = the number of data points used to calculate the robust mean B. Target Standard Deviation for the Round The value of p estimates the limits of a satisfactory performance in a FAPAS proficiency test (FAPAS, 2002). In cases where the value of p does not reflect best practice for the analyses in question, the predictive models of the appropriate form of the Horwitz equation are valuable indicators of the best practice. This equation predicts a standard deviation from a given concentration (c) and requires c to be expressed as a dimensionless mass ratio (1ppm = 10-6 or % = 10-2) i) For analyte concentrations= (0.22c) / mr ii) For analyte concentrations 120 ppb and 13.8% = (0.2c0.8495) / mr iii) For analyte concentrations > 13.8 % = (0.01c0.5) / mr where, c = concentration (assigned value), expressed as a dimensionless mass ratio mr = dimensionless mass ratio. In all reports, the was calculated according to the equations above. In report 0141 however only the value of for the ash was estimated in this manner. The value of for moisture, total fat, nitrogen and hydroxyproline was derived from collaborative trial data assuming a linear relationship : = (RSDR / 100)c where, RSDR = Relative

Organic vs. Non-organic Food Essay Example for Free

Organic vs. Non-organic Food Essay Bottom line, going green can cultivate envy. The public is constantly bombarded with the idea that organic products are better. Perhaps this is true, but maybe it is brilliant marketing simply selling a status symbol. Envy can come from a neighbor’s luscious, organically grown front yard to the hybrid vehicle a co-worker drives, to the organic foods that consumers in a higher financial echelon seem to be able to only afford. Is this envy justifiable or is the notion of organics and its superiority a tactic of propaganda to boost the already $30-plus billion industry even higher, according to Farm and Dairy’s April, 2012 article â€Å"Organic Food Sales†? Although proponents of organic food insist it is healthier than conventional food, non-organic foods are extremely comparable to its organic counterpart, possibly even more necessary. The United States has evolved into a powerful nation; one that boasts of freedoms, luxuries and an overabundance of practically everything. The United States is also a country which has a population that grows greater and greater each year. Reasons including the number of births outnumbering the number of deaths, as well as the number of immigrants coming to live the â€Å"American Dream. † According to the Census Bureau End-of-2011 estimate, â€Å"the United States will enter 2012 with a population of roughly 312. 8 million people† (Schlesinger, 2011, para, 1). This statistic takes into account one birth approximately every 8 seconds, one death every 12 seconds as well as one new migrant entering the country approximately every 46 seconds. As cited by Schlesinger (2011), this ends up with a population increase of over two million in 2012. This is a staggering number and would only increase over time. In his article â€Å"Point: Industrial Agriculture has Improved Farming for Hundreds of Years,† George Wright (2011) explains how the use of biotechnology and techniques such as caging animals used to increase the profits of agricultural industry is not a contemporary idea. Wright (2011, para. 7) states how â€Å"the use of biotechnology to produce food has been around for over 8000 years. † He gives examples such as enzymes being used to make foods like baked goods and dairy products. Wright also asserts that â€Å"biotechnology is expected to help agriculture by improving quality, nutrition, safety and the processing of raw crops,† (Wright, 2011, para. 7). Biotechnology is not a process that is new to the agriculture industry. Finally, Wright’s article (2011, para. 12) concludes that â€Å"with the world’s population at six billion and heading higher, there is no practical alternative to ‘industrial agriculture’. † He also points out that â€Å"agricultural innovations from industries such as biotechnology are advancing agricultural production,† (Wright, 2011, para. 13). In addition, Avery’s article â€Å"‘Frontline’ Perpetuates Pesticide Myths† (1993), Avert adds that â€Å"it is believed that if the world converts to organic systems of farming, by 2050 this system of farming will not be able to supply enough food for the population and will be responsible for massive amounts of deaths due to starvation. Another organic misnomer claims that organic livestock and plants are free from chemicals and unnecessary medications, unlike their non-organic counterparts. According to Nancy Sprague’s 2011 article, â€Å"Counterpoint: Organic Food is Unnecessary the Current Food Supply is Safe†, there are a myths about organic food that are debunked. She discusses how organic foods are actually prepared and while comparing and contrasting it to the process non-organic foods go through prior to arriving at the grocery shelves. When discussing about the use (or lack thereof) of pesticides, Sprague (2011, para. 4) notes that â€Å"organic farmers can use pesticides from an approved list,† which contradicts the consumer’s belief that organic foods have not come into contact with any pesticides. Sprague goes further to state the toxins that the organic industry supposedly takes pride into avoiding are contaminants that actually cannot be avoided. Nitrates, chemicals and antibiotics are now found naturally within the environment due to â€Å"broad contamination of the earth’s natural resources† (Sprague, 2011, para. 4). The organic industry also asserts that the levels of hormones in non-organic meats are extremely high and in-turn dangerous to the consumers’ health. In fact, in Lester Aldrich’s (2006) article, â€Å"Consumers Eat Up Organic Beef Despite Costs, Unproven Benefits†, he finds quite the opposite conclusion. Aldrich discusses the results of a study by Gary Smith, professor of meat sciences at the Center for Red Meat Safety. This study analyzed and compared the levels of hormones found in two-3 ounce steaks, one each from an organic animal and one from a non-organic animal. The results were shocking. Smith’s compare/contrast analysis showed that there was an almost incomprehensible difference (on a nanogram scale) between the hormone levels from both the organic and non-organic samples,† (Aldrich, 2006, para. 29). Aldrich (2006) then compared these results to the levels of these same hormones to a typical birth control pill that is voluntarily consumed. The results showed â€Å"the average birth-control pill provides 35,000 nanograms of estrogen daily† whereas â€Å"a non-pregnant woman produces about 480,000 nanograms of estrogen, 240,000 nanograms of testosterone and 10. 1 million nanograms of progesterone daily,† (Aldrich, 2006, para. 30). The comparison is astounding and should put any worries about added hormones in our food to rest. Prior to pasteurization of food, people would die young due to food-borne illnesses. Avery (2002) opens his article â€Å"The Hidden Dangers In Organic Food† with â€Å"Products most people think are purer than other foods are making people seriously ill. † Avery’s (2002) article mentions how the invention of the refrigerator as well as simple procedures such as food refrigeration and washing ones hands before eating or making food would eventually keep food-borne illness to a minimum in the United States, although those individuals who were quite ill or weak would die if exposed to food-borne bacteria. Unfortunately, with all the claims of health, organic food is becoming more notorious for being served on a plate with food-borne illnesses such as salmonella, and now more recently, E. coli. Avery (2002, para. 1) cites the U. S. Centers for Disease Control stating â€Å"people who eat organic and natural foods are eight times likely as the rest of the population to be attacked by a deadly new strain of E. coli bacteria,† salmonella or fungus. According to Avery (2002), USDA offered organic famers a method that did not require either pesticides or pasteurization to protect the crops; irradiation. This process used low levels of gamma radiation to kill bacteria while maintaining the freshness of the food. Unfortunately, organic farmers were outraged and more than 200,000 protesters opposed the idea therefore the USDA removed this process from the final organic food standard (Avery, 2002). This has not been beneficial for public safety, as cited in Sprague’s (2011) where she points out that there have been several infections caused by E. coli in the United States during 2009 alone. Organic farming does have one huge positive aspect: it strives for self-sustainability and leaves a small carbon footprint in the environment. With that said, organic farms, regardless of whether or not its food can be proven to be healthier than conventional food, requires a much larger area of land mass to produce the same amount of food than that of a conventional farm. According to Avery (2002), â€Å"agriculture already takes up 36 percent of the world’s land surface. † Avery (2002) translates this to mean that by year 2050, short of a worldwide cataclysm, the world will need 2. 5 times more food output than what is needed today. Wilcox (2011, para. 26) states in her article â€Å"Mythbusting 101: Organic Farming Conventional Agriculture† that until organic farming can contend with the output of conventional farming due to space needed without the ecological costs involved, the need for more space will be severely detrimental to the environment. † Organic farms help the environment on small, local levels. Unfortunately they do not produce the same amount of food that a conventional farm can; between 20%-50% below what a conventional farm of the same size will produce (Wilcox, 2011). Wilcox (2011) also emphasizes that with more advanced technology, organic farming may eventually be able to keep up with conventional food production, however, if more areas of the planet become transformed into organic farmland in the meantime, the planet’s natural habitats will begin to quickly deplete. Conventionally farmed foods and organic foods both have positive and negative aspects to their individual philosophies. Organic farming does not necessarily produce healthier food. Hormone levels in organic and non-organic foods are extremely similar and the lack of pesticides in organic food contributes to a higher frequency of food-borne illnesses. As much as this is true, the organic farm leaves a smaller carbon footprint than a conventional farm, which, in the long run will allow for the environment to sustain itself and be able to continue producing more food. With that being said, when going to the store to buy food, the consumer should make the conscious choice to purchase organic foods when it is affordable, in order to support and promote self-sustainable/organic farming. If the choice is made to buy conventional foods, the consumer should not feel guilty or worried the food is substandard to organic. There should be confidence knowing that USDA regulations are being followed by conventional farms to produce the highest quality food possible. ? References Aldrich, L. (2006, July 12). Consumers eat up organic beef despite costs, unproven benefits. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from htttp://search. proquest. com. proxy. devry. edu/business/docprintview/398944062/abstract/137 Avery, D. T. (1993, Apr 01). Frontline perpetuates pesticide myths. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com. proxy. devry. edu/business/docprintview/398370529/Record/1371 Avery, D. T. (2002, June 25). The hidden dangers in organic food. Retrieved from http://www. cgfi. org/2002/06/the-hidden-dangers-in-organic-food/ Sprague, N. (2011). Counterpoint: Organic food is unnecessary the current food supply is safe. Points Of View: Organic Food, 3. Retrieved from http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=tryedb=pwhAN=43286301site=pov-line Schlesinger, R. (2011, Dec 30). U. S.population 2012: nearly 313 million people. U. S. News and World Report, Retrieved from http://www. usnews. com/opinion/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2011/12/30/us-population-2012-nearly-313-million-people Wilcox, C. (2011, July 18). Mythbusting 101: organic farming conventional agriculture. Scientific American, Retrieved from http://blogs. scientificamerican. com/science-sushi/2011/07/18/mythbusting-101-organic-farming-conventional-agriculture/ Wright, G. (2011). Point: Industrial agriculture has improved farming for hundreds of years. Points Of View: Factory Farming, 2.

Hamlet :: essays research papers

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a play full of sorrow and excitement, its full of gore and incest. The play has a large amount of betrayal and the person supplying most of that is Claudius, the king and Hamlets uncle. Claudius is cold-hearted, full of hate, and a coward. He is the king but, the ironic thing about that is he should not be and as Hamlet is the prince, the death of his father should put him at the throne.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The play starts off with a tense setting, as the guards have seen a ghost that looks like the old king or Hamlets father who they believed had died of a snake bite. This is the showing of the first cruel deed Claudius has done, the reader does not know yet but Claudius is the reason that King Hamlet dies. The reader knows that it is Claudius when Hamlet encounters the ghost and the ghost tells Hamlet, “Thus I was sleeping, by a brothers hand, of life, at crown, of queen, at once dispatch’d.';(1) The meaning of the ghost’s quote is that he is telling Hamlet that Claudius killed him when he was asleep and that he took his crown and his queen. This is the first time the reader really knows that Claudius is cold-hearted and ruthless.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After Hamlet heard this, he held a play where the murder of his father is reacted in a scene, that Hamlet himself designed. The purpose of this was to see Claudius’s reaction to the scene to prove if Claudius is the real murderer or not. After Claudius sees the play he storms out of the stage scared and surprised. Claudius then prays to heaven for forgiveness of his sins since he knows that Hamlet has figured out what he has done, he does this so he will not get sent to hell. Claudius says, “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.';(2) He is praying for forgiveness but he is not sorry, he just doesn’t want to get sent to hell and that is what the quote is saying, since he is not sorry his words remain below, or on Earth. This further proves how cold-hearted Claudius is, he has killed his brother, taken his crown, taken his wife, has been discovered, and he still does not feel guilty at all about what he has done.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Claudius now knows that Hamlet has figured him out and what he has done, so Claudius plans to send Hamlet away to England with a note for the king of England to have Hamlet killed.