hamlet Essay - 1402 Words

Appearance can be defined as a superficial aspect; a semblance; or pretending something is the case in order to make a good impression. Reality on the other hand can be defined as the state of being actual or real; the state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be. It is undeniably noticeable that throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet many characters are playing roles: acting rather than being. This unquestionably reminds the reader of reality, where a person can play various roles. In reality, as well as in the play, it is not always easy to distinguish what is true from what only appears to be true. Throughout Hamlet, Shakespeare illuminates the theme of appearance versus reality by portraying principal characters.†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, in the same scene, Polonius forbids Ophelia to see Hamlet, who tells her that he loves her. Although Polonius knows this is true, he belittles Ophelia telling her that Hamlet is young and eager, and does not truly care for and love her: â€Å"Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, /When the flood burns, how prodigal the soul† (I.iii.120-121). Throughout the play, Polonius only appears to be an honest and true politician, but his appearance is far from his true nature. Behind all this, lies someone completely different: a manipulating, eaves dropping, liar. Another prime example of a character that portrays this theme, and perhaps a more obvious one, is Hamlet. He claims he is righteous and honest to himself, but in truth Hamlet is acting most of the time in the play: and furthermore, he knows it. He begins to expose his true motives and nature when he learns that his uncle Claudius, the new king, has murdered his father, the late Lord Hamlet. Hamlet is sickened by the thought of his own blood committing such a sin, and furthermore is appalled by the fact that his uncle is sleeping with his mother: â€Å"[†¦] – Frailty, thy name is woman – / A little month, or ere those shoes were old / With which she followed my poor father’s body /,† (I.ii.147-150). It is in Act III, where the reader truly sees what Hamlet is capable of, and where his true rage comes out: â€Å"[†¦] Now could I drink hot blood, /And do such bitterShow MoreRelatedHamlet Madness In Hamlet1293 Words   |  6 Pages When reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet as a class, the first thing that most teachers or professors point out is the argument/idea of sanity, specifically Hamlets sanity. I believe that Hamlet is, in fact, feigning his madness. What I do not know is if I believe this because it is what I was taught or if I came up with the idea myself based on my own interpretation. 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Claudius, who is Hamlets uncle, has recently become the new king and as well married Hamlets fathers wife, GertrudeRead More Hamlet Essay1107 Words   |  5 Pages Perhaps the most famous soliloquy in literature, these words reflect the state of desperation in which Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, finds himself as he contemplates suicide. His father, the King, has died. His mother, the Queen, has remarried within a month of the Kings passing, an act which has disturbed young Hamlet in and of it. To make it worse, she has married the Kings brother, Hamlets uncle, who is now the King of Denmark. As Hamlets despair deepens, he learns through the appearance