Appearance Vs. Reality Essay -- essays research papers

In Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, the young prince of Denmark must uncover the truth about his fathers death. Hamlet shows a play that tells the story of a young prince whose 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, and King Claudius. 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. Their appearance makes it very difficult for Hamlet to uncover the truth, because the characters hide behind their lies. Polonius, the king’s royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of a 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. Poloniusgives 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 in front of the king 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 cans’t 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, and then he sends a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for anyone. He gives the appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on his own, when in reality he lies about his trust for his son. This is made obviuos by the fact that he sends a spy to watch him. Polonius further adds to the theme of appearance verses reality by ordering Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. He lies to her telling her that Hamlet does not love her, he only lusts for her, in truth he has no idea whether or not Hamlet loves her. He says to her: â€Å"Ay,... ...is ,making Claudius a more deserving person to be king. As Claudius speaks in council he gives the appearance of someone who is a deserving person that should be king. Claudius is voted in as king meaning he is already approved by everyone. Claudius gives respect to his subjects giving the council the impression that he respects them. The king shows general concern for Hamlet, his nephew. These things make it very difficult to prove the truth about Claudius in the future for he has not only won the love and respect of council, But also possibly prevented a attack on Denmark (from Fortinbras) proving that he is good king that can protect the state from harm. Claudius makes it very difficult for Hamlet to prove the truth about the true nature of Claudius. Throughout the play, the characters all help to show the theme of appearance verses reality. Polonius, Rosencrantz (Guildenstern) and the king all appear to be good and honest. As Hamlet finds out, all contain lies and have hidden intentions within them. As each character is presented in the play all appear to be good and honest making it a difficult task for Hamlet to uncover the hidden truth about the nature of each character.