Question

Hamlet resolves to kill King Claudius, but then he does not take advantage of an opportunity to do so. How does this show that Hamlet is a round character? A. He represents the concept of failure. B. He acts in contradictory ways. C. He has forgiven Claudius. D. He teaches the audience a moral lesson.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. He acts in contradictory ways.

Explanation:

Round characters are those characters who tend to have more development in their personality and characterization than the other characters. The circumstances that they encounter affect them and are changed by it. Round characters tend to be mostly the main protagonists of the story.

In William Shakespeare's tragedy play "Hamlet", the character of the young prince Hamlet is taken as a round character for he encounters numerous instances of problems and disasters, conflicts and even oppositions. In Act III scene iii, we see Hamlet almost killing Claudius while he was prostrating in prayer. But he did not do so for he believes that if he is killed while praying to God, it will absolve him from Hell. This act of going back on his decision to kill even when he had the chance shows him acting in a contradictory way.