Hamlet: Reality

7 Pages 1792 Words

Hamlet - Appearance vs. Reality


Hamlet one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, where the young
prince of Denmark must uncover the truth about his fathers death.
Hamlet a play that tells the story of a young prince who's father
recently died. Hamlets uncle Claudius marries his mother the queen
and takes the throne. As the play is told Hamlet finds out his father
was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme that remains
constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things
within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality are
infested with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide
behind a mask of falseness. Four of the main characters that hid
behind this mask are Polonius, Rosencrantz (Guildenstern), the king
Cluadius. From behind this mask they give the impression of a person
who is sincere and genuine, in reality they are plagued with lies and
evil. There appearance will make it very difficult for Hamlet to
uncover the truth, the characters hide behind.

Polonius the kings royal assistant has a preoccupation with
appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of loving and
caring person. Polonius appears like a man who loves and cares about
his son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds
sincere but in reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling.
Polonius gives his advice only to appear to be the loving caring
father. The reality is he only speaks to appear sincere as a
politician, to look good rather then actually be good: "And borrowing
dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be
true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be
false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!" Act 1

Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he sends
a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of
trust...