Deceit And Deception In Hamlet

Deception, in a tale such as Hamlet, is not just a prevalent undertone in the progression of the plot, but also expected by the reader. A blatant correlation between most political stories and deceit is common - and that, paired with a revenge quest designed to avenge a tragedy of not solely fratricide, but additionally regicide, concocts a story where deceit is a necessity in completing ones personals aims. Hamlet begins the play as a strong opponent against the ideas of deception, stating whilst mourning his father that his outward appearance does not effectively reflect is inward sadness. Resenting the idea, it is difficult to foresee a future for Hamlet laden of deceit and fabrication. However, being a writer as successful as Shakespeare

was, the play can be analyzed and meaning can be derived from why his play has a constant presence of deceit.

Deceit, in reality and in Hamlet, is a method that many use as a handicap in personal gain, however, deceit, as depicted in Hamlet, can be self-consuming, self- destructive, and also counterproductive to the original goals of the

individual.
Political gain and deceit have been paired throughout history. Even in today's standards, achieving success as a politician is a course of lies and fabrications to make oneself more attractive to voters. Most recently, GOP candidate Ben Carson has made statements about having a violent past, even if most have been debunked. In Hamlet, the largest example of political deceit is King Claudius and the murder of his brother. In an elaborate plot built upon the story of a snake biting his brother in an orchard, Claudius could poison his brother and take the crown. The tactic was questionable, even Hamlet questioned its legitimacy, however, no discernible evidence that could prove otherwise. Such a plan would have been sustainable without the effect of Hamlet, but throughout the play fatal flaws were explicit in his leadership. Beginning with Claudius's habitual routine of binge drinking without production, and all the drama occurring within the royal family, all concluded to there being something "rotten in the state of Denmark" (1.4).
Throughout the play, deception is not only enacted in Claudius's plot, but in an elaborate potpourri of inter-character deception. Almost every main character acts in a deceptive manner at least once, and in addition some characters are more deceitful than their counterparts. Beginning with Hamlet, his transition from honesty to deceit is detailed and a main component of the play. Hamlet starts this transition by planning to put on "an antic disposition" (1.5) by feigning madness, allowing him to get close to Claudius, and murder him. In addition, besides enacting and continuing such a disposition, one can identify a complete transformation in his homicide of Polonius and actions resulting in the death of his companions: Rosencrantz and Guildensterm. Polonius, yet another deceitful character, implements a system of spying: spying on his son, spying on Hamlet and is daughter, and eventually spying on Queen Gertrude and Hamlet. Polonius's use of spying ultimately led to his demise by his withdrawal behind a tapestry. Lastly, the final ploy of the story was Laertes and Claudius's plan to poison the sword and goblet, which resulted in an inevitable backfire and the untimely demise of many characters.
Using such examples of deceit, conclusions can be drawn from its effectiveness.

Does a deceitful attitude promote success, and by self-gentrification through use of deceit actually occur? These questions are answered as a clear no through Hamlet. Every deceitful action, every lie, had positive consequences, but these consequences are short-lived. Every character that used deceit as a tactic (excluding but a few), died through the progression of the play. Admittedly, this is a large exaggeration, for not every deceitful action results in death, but it does hold some meaning. The play does serve, however, as a detailed example of the negative consequences that can arise from deceitful actions and fabrications of truth. In addition, Shakespeare presents an ideology that through immersion of oneself into such an atmosphere, a degradation of moral and emotional values occurs, which does hold truth.

Deception: its use and prevalent nature continues to be omnipresent in today's time. Such a lasting message may be responsible to the plays success throughout time, and people continue to draw value from the play. By presenting deception in Hamlet negatively, with poor consequences, Shakespeare creates a idea that deception is self-destructive, self-consuming, and counterproductive in comparison of one's original goals. Before acting in a deceitful manner, recognizing consequences and possible side-effects are crucial, and such an ideology could prevent deception being such a common

tactic.