Question

Claudius:] O wretched state! O bosom black as death!

O limed soul, that struggling to be free

Art more engaged! Help, angels! make assay;

Bow, stubborn knees; and heart with strings of steel

Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe.

All may be well.

–Hamlet,
William Shakespeare

How does this passage show that King Claudius is a round character?

1. He represents the idea of religious devotion.
2. He has suddenly decided to step down and make Hamlet king.
3. He shows a range of emotions, including guilt.
4. He behaves exactly as he did earlier in the play.

Answer 1

option C

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The answer is: 3. He shows a range of emotions, including guilt.

A round character is behaves in a realistic way and grows in complexity within the story. In Act 3, Scene 3 from "Hamlet," Claudius is able to reveal his bad conscience after killing his own brother to become king. Thus, he exclaims his soul is as black as death and that his guilt cannot leave his soul. He even asks angels to help him get rid of his sin, so that his heart can become soft again.