Hamlet one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, where the young prince of Denmarkmust uncover the truth about his fathers death. Hamlet a play that tells thestory of a young prince who’s father recently died. Hamlets uncle Claudiusmarries his mother the queen and takes the throne. As the play is told Hamletfinds out his father was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme thatremains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things withinthe 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 ofthe main characters that hid behind this mask are Polonius, Rosencrantz (Guildenstern), the king Cluadius. From behind this mask they give the impression of a personwho 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 apreoccupation with appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance ofloving and caring person. Polonius appears like a man who loves and cares abouthis son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere butin reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives hisadvice only to appear to be the loving caring father. The reality is he onlyspeaks to appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then actually begood: “ And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thineown self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not thenbe false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!” Act 1Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he sends a spy to followhim and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for anyone, he givesthe appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on his own. Inreality he lies about his trust for his son by sending a spy to watch him. Hisadvice he gives his son is rehearsed and only said to give the appearance of aloving father. Polonius further adds to the theme appearance verses reality byordering Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. He lies to her telling her that Hamletdoes not love her, he only lusts for her, in truth he does love her: Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, When the blood burns , how prodigal thesoul Through the play Polonius hids behind his mask appearing to be honestloving parent. In reality Polonius lies, manipulates people and eavesdrops onpeoples conversation. Polonius helps contribute to the theme appearance versesreality by showing how his appearance is not his true nature, behind the maskthere lies someone totally different. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two ofHamlets childhood friends who when asked by the king, try to find out what istroubling the young prince. Both help to contribute to the theme by showingthere appearance of being Hamlets friends. The pair go to Hamlet pretending tobe his friends when in truth they are only there because the king asked them tofind the truth. There is some irony within the twins, they are asked by the kingto find out the truth by hiding within a lie, by pretending to be his friend: Adream is but a shadow Act II. Hamlet knows there purpose for their visit is todig into his soul to find the real reason for his actions as of late. As theplay continues the twins are asked again by the king to go to Hamlet and tryagain to find the real reason for Hamlets behavior. Hamlet insults them at everychance knowing they are lying to him about there purpose of the visit: Tis aseasy as lying; govern these ventages with you finger and thumb, give it breathwith your mouth…Act III As the melodrama continues Hamlet goes with the twinsto reclaim money that another state owes Denmark. Hamlet is sent by the king toretrieve the assets. In actuality Hamlet is sent off to wither because the king, Claudius knows that Hamlet knows too much and must be killed. The twins showthere appearance of being Hamlets friends but in truth they have a hidden reasonfor visiting with Hamlet. Both show that it will be very difficult for Hamlet touncover the fidelity hidden within the lies. Claudius the king of Denmarkconduct in council gives him the appearance of an Honest and honorable man. InAct one scene two Claudius in the presence of council shows his true skill andease of manner at speaking. Claudius speaks well of the spent king by showing ageneral love for him by all his subjects. Claudius show respect for the oldsovereign by speaking kind words of him. In reality he cares little for the oldking, he speaks kindly only to give the appearance of loving brother. Though yetof Hamlet our dear brother’s death The memory be green, and that it us befittedTo bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one browof woe Act I As Claudius sends Voltimand and Cornelius off to give the king ofNorway the message of Fortibras, he thanks and gives them complete trust, in thedeliverance of the notation. This shows his trust and caring for his subjects infront of the council, wining even more consent from the council: We doubt itnothing: heartily farewell. Act I Claudius increases his appearance of a honestand honorable man, in front of the council by showing his respect for Polonius.
He gives him the power to let his son Laertes stay or leave for Norway. Claudiusspeaks highly of Polonius giving him thanks and saying the he was responsiblefor Claudius becoming king: The head is not more native to the heart, The handmore instrumental to the mouth, Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.
What woudlst thou have, Laertes (Act I ii, 47-50) This council would see this asa man who greatly respects his subjects and cares for them. This adds to thedifficulty of uncovering the truth for Hamlet later. Hamlet enters the councilchamber and speaks with Claudius. The king (Claudius) speaks with Hamlet seemingto be concerned with Hamlet. He gives advice that over grieveing is not healthy, this shows a concern for Hamlets well being. This conduct of Claudius gives himthe appearance of being kind in front of council that accepts him even more forhis family values: How is it that the clouds still hang on you? Act I Claudiusappears to be even more caring when insulted by Hamlet he still shows love andgeneral care for Hamlet. A normal king would have become angry and Hamlet wouldhave gotten into trouble. Claudius shows the council that he is understanding ofHamlet’s grief over his father: A little more than kin, and less than kind. ActI . Claudius gives Hamlet advice that over grieveing can be harmful and nothealthy. Claudius tells Hamlet that he is a admirable person for grieveing forso long over his dads death. Yet again Claudius keeps putting on the appearanceof the honorable man. Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To givethese mourning duties to your father: But, you must know, you father lost afather; That father lost, lost his; and the survivor bound In filial obligationfor some term To do obsequious sorrow; but to persever In obstinate condolementis a course Act I Claudius further makes it difficult to uncover the truth byannouncing that Hamlet is next in line for the throne of Denmark. This showsthat Claudius would let Hamlet become the next king when he is gone. Thisreveals a love and care for Hamlet to the council and Gertrude making Claudiusappear to be kind, loving person: You are the most immediate to our throne; Andwith no less nobility of love Act I Claudius final conduct that makes him adifficult truth to uncover, is his care and want that Hamlet remain in Denmark.
Claudius is insulted by Hamlet, he asks Hamlet to stay only that his queenGertrude wants Hamlet to stay. Claudius appears to be concerned with Hamletswell being, Gertrude and council see this , making Claudius a more deservingperson to be king. As Claudius speaks in council he gives the appearance ofsomeone who is a deserving person that should be king. Claudius is voted in asking meaning he is already approved by everyone. Claudius gives respect to hissubjects giving the council the impression that he respects them. The king showsgeneral concern for Hamlet, his nephew. This will make it very difficult toprove the truth about Claudius in the future for he has not only, one the loveand respect of council (that voted him in). But also has prevented a attack onDenmark (from Fortinbras) proving that he is good king that can protect thestate from harm. Claudius makes it very difficult for Hamlet to uncover thetruth about the true nature of Claudius in the future. Through the characterswithin the play all help to show the theme, that being appearance versesreality. Polonius, Rosencrantz (Guildenstern) and the king all appear to be goodand honest. As Hamlet finds out, all contain lies and have hidden intentionswithin them. As each character is presented in the play all appear to be goodand honest making it a difficult task for Hamlet to uncover the hidden truthabout the nature of each character. As Hamlet best said it somethings is rottenin Denmark That being the lies which have replaced or covered the true state ofeach character.
