After fatally striking his son, Ivan the Terrible, in a moment of profound shock and despair, exclaimed, "I killed my son."
This immediate utterance was followed by a dramatic and intense display of remorse and horror. Paling with fear and trembling, he threw himself down to kiss his dying son. As blood flowed profusely from the deep wound, Ivan wept and sobbed uncontrollably, expressing immense grief and desperation.
His actions immediately after the event further underscored his anguish:
- Calling for Aid: He urgently called for doctors to attend to his son.
- Seeking Divine Mercy: He implored the mercy of God for his actions.
- Pleading for Forgiveness: He desperately sought the forgiveness of his son.
Ivan's reaction illustrates the immediate and overwhelming guilt he experienced after the deed, transitioning from the violent rage that led to the incident to a state of profound regret and desperation.
