Shakespeare's Hamlet-Concealment Of Reality

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Concealment of Reality
“Because an illusion is an illusion. Reality always exists despite the facade” – Kasie West, Pivot Point. Appearance vs reality is a very common theme that has been explored for centuries amongst all sorts of media, especially literature. The potential to express this topic is limitless and means something different to everyone, be it about relationships and emotions between people or be it discussed among the highest pillars of philosophy. This fascinating concept of how the appearance may shroud the reality is amongst many that William Shakespeare explores in his widely acclaimed plays. During his greatest tragedy play Hamlet this theme is arguably the main focus, he not only exemplifies this theme through his rich cast of characters, but also through the massive amount of …show more content…

While Hamlet is walking through the graveyard with Horatio, he stumbles upon a gravedigger who is digging a grave for Ophelia. While doing so, gravedigger digs out the skull of a jester from Hamlet’s childhood, Yorick. This makes Hamlet ponder of life and death and what existence leads to. During his soliloquy his states:
“Oh, poor Yorick! I used to know him, Horatio—a very funny guy, and with an excellent imagination. He carried me on his back a thousand times, and now—how terrible—this is him. It makes my stomach turn. I don’t know how many times I kissed the lips that used to be right here. Where are your jokes now? Your pranks? Your songs? Your flashes of wit that used to set the whole table laughing? You don’t make anybody smile now. Are you sad about that? You need to go to my lady’s room and tell her that no matter how much makeup she slathers on, she’ll end up just like you some day. That’ll make her laugh.”

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