Appearance vs. Reality in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Appearance vs. Reality in Shakespeare's Hamlet

In Hamlet deceiving illusions are frequently used to protect truth from being a destructive force. Situations within acts one and two that appear to be true and honest are really contaminated with evil. Various characters within the first two acts hide behind masks of corruption. In the first two acts most characters presented seem to be good and honest making it a complex task for Hamlet to discover all the lies that have hidden objectives within them.

Shakespeare brilliantly depicts appearance verses reality in many ways. The first of many scenes where the truth is twisted is when the new supposed king is addressing Denmark. Claudius makes it seem as if Denmark is fine but in reality they are in a state of disarray:

Young Fortinbras,

Holding a weak supposal of our worth

Or thinking by our late brother’s death

Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

(I, II, 17)

Trying to assure the people of Denmark Claudius makes it seem like all is well, however, crimes of fratricide and incest have just been committed in the King’s castle. Shakespeare repeatedly instills this theme in Claudius. Even when Claudius states the obvious he is lying:

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.

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