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