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Deception and Appearance vs. Reality in Hamlet

Introduction

In the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, there is an exploration of the themes of deception

and the contrast between what appears to be true and what is true. The characters in the play

constantly engage in actions. Hide their true motives behind false facades resulting in a tangled

web of lies that ultimately leads to a devastating outcome. This emphasis on deception

underscores the nature of behavior and illustrates the repercussions when individuals adopt

various disguises to pursue their ambitions.

Deception plays a role throughout the entirety of "Hamlet. " This theme becomes evident

right from the start of the play. One instance of deceit occurs when King Hamlet's ghost makes

an appearance. The ghost appears before Prince Hamlet and claims to be his father, disclosing

that he was murdered by his brother, King Claudius. This revelation sets off a chain of events as

Hamlet becomes consumed by a burning desire for revenge. The ghost's arrival catalyzes the

conflict blurring the boundaries between what's real and what is an illusion (Ryner). The

presence of the ghost raises doubts about its authenticity, leaving open the possibility that it

could be a spirit or simply a creation of Hamlet's imagination. This uncertainty highlights

appearances versus reality, forcing Hamlet to navigate between truth and potential trickery.
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Another significant aspect of deception in Hamlet revolves around the character of

Claudius, whose entire reign is built upon deceit and appearance. n Act 3 Scene 1, there is a

moment in the play where Claudius' true nature is revealed. Despite projecting an image of a

devoted king, he cannot hide his guilt for his brother's murder. As the events of the play mirror

the regicide of King Hamlet, Claudius' reaction, filled with anxiety and guilt, confirms his

involvement. Guilfoyle describes Claudius as a ruler who wears a mask while maintaining power

—a "smiling damned villain." (Guilfoyle)

Deception also plays a crucial role in the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. After

declaring his love for her, Hamlet abruptly terminates their relationship leaving Ophelia confused

and devastated. His unpredictable behavior makes Ophelias' father, Polonius, believe that

Hamlet's affection for her is merely a façade. This ultimately contributes to Ophelias' descent

into madness and eventual suicide. The evidence from Act 3 Scene 1, where Hamlet denies

having loved Ophelia showcases the impact of deception on their relationship (Snodgrass). This

deceit sets off a chain of events that culminate in the deaths of both Ophelia and Polonius.

The theme of deception reaches its climax during the climactic final scene of the play.

Both characters resort to deceptive tactics in the duel between Hamlet and Laertes. Laertes

conspires with Claudius to poison the tip of his sword, and Gertrude accidentally drinks poison

intended for Hamlet. Despite being aware of Claudius's treachery, Hamlet goes through with the

duel, leading to the tragic deaths of Laertes, Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet himself. The scene

exemplifies the disastrous consequences of deception and the consequences of relying on

appearances rather than confronting reality directly (Snodgrass). Shakespeare masterfully

portrays the theme's influence on the characters' actions, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome.

Conclusion
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Deception and appearance versus reality are central themes in Hamlet, driving the

characters' actions and leading to tragic consequences. The pretense of madness by Prince

Hamlet, the reign of Claudius, the actions of Polonius, and the tragic love story between Hamlet

and Ophelia all demonstrate how deception influences the outcome of the play. Shakespeare

adeptly delves into these themes highlighting the nature of deceit and the intricacies of behavior.

This makes Hamlet a timeless warning about the repercussions that arise when we prioritize

appearances over truth.

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Works Cited

Guilfoyle, Cherrell. “King Hamlet’s Two Successors.” Comparative Drama, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018,

pp. 120–38, https://doi.org/10.1353/cdr.1981.0017. Accessed 5 June 2020.

Ryner, Bradley D. “Shakespeare’s Lyric Stage: Myth, Music, and Poetry in the Late Plays. Seth

Lerer. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018. Xxii + 254 Pp. $27.50.” Renaissance

Quarterly, vol. 73, no. 1, 2020, pp. 381–83, https://doi.org/10.1017/rqx.2019.602.

Accessed 13 Feb. 2022.

Snodgrass, J. “Supernatural Shakespeare: Magic and Ritual in Merry Old England.” Google

Books, City of Light Publishing, 2022. Accessed 21 July 2023.