Appearance Vs Reality In Hamlet Essay

Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, Hamlet discovers the truth about his father’s recent murder. Hamlet learns that his uncle and newly crowned king, Claudius, is his father’s murdered and promises to avenge him. Many characters in the play appear to be honest and sincere but in reality are filled with mischievousness. The them of appearance versus reality is a constant theme throughout the play. Four particular characters in the play hide behind a mask of evil. Hidden behind this mask are Polonius, King Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. While behind this mask Polonius, King Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear to be pure and trustworthy but on the other side they are filled with evil and dishonesty.

The loyal councilor to Claudius, Polonius, appears to be a caring father to

Laertes and Ophelia and a honorable man. When Laertes makes his decision to move to France, Polonius comes across as being encouraging of his son’s decision. As Polonius is saying goodbye to Laertes he gives him a blessing saying, “And borrowing dulleth 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!” (I.iii.78-81). In his blessing, Polonius advises Laertes to not borrow from others, to remain true to himself, and not to lie. Due to his lack of trust in his son, Polonius sends Reynaldo, his servant, to spy on Laertes as soon as he said his goodbyes. This action of distrust shows he is not the confident father in which he was shown to be through is farewell. Polonius goes on to tell his daughter that Hamlet is using her and that she should not trust him: “Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show, But mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds, The better to beguile.” (I.iii.127-131). Polonius tells Ophelia to end her relationship with Hamlet. It seems as if Polonius is looking out for his daughter but in reality is only looking out for himself because he does not want to be embarrassed by the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet. Polonius appears to be a good man but in reality does not care about anybody else but himself.
The newly crowned king of Denmark, Claudius, does a very good job at illustrating himself as an honest and heartfelt man when he is really just the opposite. King Claudius wanted so bad to be king that he went to the extreme and killed his own brother, King Hamlet, and then proceeded to marry his brother’s widow, Gertrude. Claudius makes it seem as if he cared for his brother speaking well of him in the presence of council: “…and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe…”(I.ii.3-4). Claudius speaks respectfully of his brother only to be seen as a loving brother when in reality he cares very little about his brother and is just happy to be king. Claudius also appears to be an honest and heartfelt person towards Hamlet when he announces to the kingdom that Hamlet is next in line for the crown by saying, “You are the most immediate to our throne, And with no less nobility of love Than that which dearest father bears his son Do I impart toward you.” (I.ii.109-112). By allowing Hamlet to take his place when he dies, Claudius appears to love and trust Hamlet when in reality he is doing what he can to cover up his crime. Overall, Claudius appears to be a trustworthy king who cares a great amount about his kingdom but in reality, he is a deceitful man and a greedy brother.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two of Hamlet’s friends from childhood who are sent by the king to figure out the cause of Hamlet’s insanity.

When they approach Hamlet they appear to be Hamlet’s friends: “My honored lord. My most dear lord.” (II.ii.225-226). Although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear to care about Hamlet’s problems, their inquiry of his problems are not sincere; they are simply there to abide by the king’s orders. Hamlet knows they were sent by the king and makes fun of them, refusing to tell the reason behind his insanity. Hamlet understands that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not concerned about his insanity out of compassion and friendship but instead are only caring as a favor for Claudius.

In William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, It is quite evident that Polonius, King Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are all two faced. The theme of appearance versus reality is shown multiple times in the play through these characters. Polonius, King Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern all first appear to be honest and sincere. As the play continues, each character’s true self is discovered and in reality they are all evil and

dishonest.