Deception and Perception in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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They key in Hamlet Is the constant deception to the reader of what is actually being presented is not a reality. This key feature, of Hamlet, affects both the reader and the main character as both are left confused. The deception is used by Shakespeare is quite clever as you would not generally notice it at first the deception used (such as the example which will be given in my next paragraph) until you perhaps do a second reading of the play.
This concept is first shown to the reader in Act 1 Scene 1 when the character of Horatio forewarns Bernando “ A mote is to trouble the mind’s eye”. Later in Scene 2 the character of Hamlet says he sees his father “In my mind’s eye”. The mote is a metaphor used to carry on the idea that Hamlet’s father …show more content…

Similar to the “mote” which is very small compared to what the rest of the eye is seeing. The issue of the ghost of Hamlet’s father is very small, in the perspective of Hamlet, compared to the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude or the speed of which the revenge on Claudius(for killing his father) which is the main theme throughout most of the play; Hamlet’s procrastination. Another interpretation is that Hamlet’s father, just like a mote, is invisible so heacts as an invisible driving force throughout the whole play without anyone noticing him. This links with the Hamlet’s earlier response to the ghost, (Scene 3) “Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damned/ Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts …show more content…

Later in Act 1 (Scene 5) Hamlet tells Horatio that he’ll put “an antic disposition on”. This is the appearance that we see through Act 2 but the question remains does Hamlet really carry out what he is saying or does he deliberate and start at some later point; is he already mad at the start of the play or much more later than we are told. Which is similar to his execution of his plan to kill Claudius “with wings with swift as meditation”. Frankly, Hamlet does not always do what he says he will do. Therefore we make a reach and say that what he says and what he does is only part of the façade Shakespeare is presenting to the audience. In following this line of thinking you would reach the conclusion that Hamlet could have been mad as soon as the ghost had finished speaking to him by himself. So Shakespeare could have provided the character of Horatio with a fooling understatement, “Which might deprive you of your sovereignty of reason, And draw you into madness?”. Even though this is isn’t what appears this is reality. This would provide a valid explanation as to why after Hamlet has talked to the ghost only he is able to hear the Ghost. This is seen through Hamlet being the first person in each instance to reply to the ghost. It would suggest that Hamlet can hear him since the ghost is in Hamlet’s head. An alternative interpretation is that the way Marcellus and Horatio are treating Hamlet

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