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Appearance vs. reality in Shakespeare's Hamlet is a jaded yet common theme. This play is teeming with characters that play their roles behind a veil of duplicity. They often appear to be one way when they really are something entirely different. The most evident player in this game is our beloved Hamlet. He mourns so deeply the death of his father and hatred for his mothers ignorance that he appears to be quite insane, when in reality he uses this false madness as a decoy to avenge his fathers wrongful murder.
Another prime example is his love for Ophelia. He is so hurt by her avoiding him that he uses it to advantage, pushing her away as if in hatred in order to preserve and protect her feelings. He uses his erroneous madness to manipulate and deceive the other characters when in reality he is utilizing an ingenious method of carrying out his master plan. He plays his part incredibly well, through his fake disease he is able to convince Polonius and Ophelia that his reason for the madness is his un-dying love for Ophelia. He accomplishes not only that but is also able to catch Claudius during the play plagued by guilt. Hamlet is extremely tainted by his role for revenge, but his illusionary madness allows him to accomplish his task.
I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen molt no feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and, indeed, it goes heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave oer hanging firmament, this majestic al roof, fretted with golden fire-why, it appeared nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. - Hamlet, act 2 scene 2, lines 316 - 326. Then we have our two-faced Claudius. The loyal king and hero of Denmark. right? Claudius wanted to be king, rule the land and crown his queen.
He gave no regard to the feelings of the family. He was jealous and ruthless in pursuing his dream ruthless to the point of murder. He pretends to be concerned and upset with the actions of Hamlet and his well being, when in reality his is frightened that Hamlet is aware of his lethal secret. It was as if he cast a spell on the whole kingdom for his own self-fulfilling interest.
Our innocent Claudius even summons spies to investigate the origin of Hamlets madness not for the good of Hamlet but for himself. He is indeed a jaded character, whose kind aura masks the face of a selfish murderer. whose whisper oer the worlds diameter, as levels as the cannon to his blank transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name and hit the wound less air. oh come away! My soul is full of discord and dismay! - Claudius, act 4 scene 1, lines 42 - 46. This quote demonstrates how Claudius seems to be worried about Hamlet and his actions when he is really fearful of him discovering the truth.
Polonius appears to be a loyal and trustworthy servant to the kingdom, willing to take on tasks and burdens requested by their majesties. In reality Polonius is an evil, greedy selfish man, who serves not his kingdom but himself. Polonius appears to be happy, concerned and supportive of his son, Laertes, journey to France. He seems to be behind his son one hundred percent. Of course not shortly after his son left he sent Reynaldo to spy on him and see what sort of mischief he is up to in France. Polonius is a large spy in general.
He also spies on Hamlet and Ophelia in an attempt to analyze Hamlets madness. He spies again on Hamlet when he is in the bedchamber with his mother and also with Tiresius. Hamlet taught him his lesson when he murdered that rat. In reality Polonius is anything but a loving father watching out for his children, he uses everyone to his advantage and for his own purposes, this proves as evidence for his sneaky demeanor. Even two of Hamlets childhood friends are victims of the appearance vs. reality theme.
They were sent and bribed by the king and queen to try and determine the cause of Hamlets insanity. They approach Hamlet as long-lost pals when they are really anything but. They were there not as friends but hired help for Hamlets condition. In act 2 scene 2 line 299, Guildenstern quotes What should we say my lord? Completely denying the fact that they were sent for by the king and queen. Throughout the play everyone puts up a front so to speak, for different reasons.
Hamlet believed that the world was corrupt and deceiving, this led him to become violently ambitious. Claudius was manipulative and cunning, and used his greed to achieve what he desired. Deception is a major theme of the play. Although Gertrude is not really deceiving anyone, she uses the appearance of her life to shield her reality, a reality in which she is perhaps haunted by guilt and sorrow, and is hunting for comfort, a comfort that she discovers in Claudius. Even characters such as Fortinbras and Guildenstein have ulterior motives throughout the play.
Fortinbras appears to be a strong leader and vows to obey his uncle when ordered not to advance, in reality his intentions were always to take the money his uncle gave him and continue his advance in order to conquer Denmark. Obviously throughout the play there are many discrepancies between appearance vs. reality. It seems everyone is jaded and full of deception or ulterior motives. With such controversial people in the kingdom, it is quite appropriate to state that there truly is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
Free research essays on topics related to: love for ophelia, hamlets madness, polonius, king and queen, act 2 scene 2
Research essay sample on Act 2 Scene 2 Love For Ophelia
