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Transcript

Hamlet: Appearance vs. Reality

King Claudius

Polonius

King Claudius’s appearance is very different from his actual self. To his subjects he seems to be a very proud rightful king. He is pretending to be innocent on all accounts and give the impression of such at the beginning of the play, King Claudius convinces the whole kingdom of his sorrows for King Hamlet’s death, yet he does it only to fulfill his own ambitions. Claudius is a smart man that pulls off one of the greatest fake appearances of the play.

Polonius appears to be a caring father to his two children, Ophelia and Laertes. He gives them multiple opportunities to do as they please. He also appears to be a committed and loyal subject to the king. Polonius tries to appear smart by using large words he ultimately doesn’t know the meaning to and misuses them making him appear dumb rather than smart. All together Polonius tries to look good in front of the important characters of the play.

Claudius quotes to prove reality

Claudius reality

“Whose whisper o’er the world’s diameter, as levels as the cannon to his blank transports his poisoned shot, may miss our name and hit the woundless air. Oh come away! My soul is full of discord and dismay” - Claudius, Act 4. This quote articulates that Claudius is worried about Hamlet’s mental position, while in reality, he is fearful of him discovering the bitter truth.

In reality Claudius is an evil man. He has killed his brother with poison, he has married his brother’s widowed wife, and he is trying to kill his nephew Hamlet. Through his innocence act, Claudius is ruthlessly trying to achieve his goals of taking the Danish kingdom by force. He fears Hamlet’s awareness of his deeds and investigates into Hamlet’s madness as a pre-caution for himself.

Polonius reality

quotes for Polonius as proof

“There put on him what forgeries you please” Act 2. This is when Polonius sends a man to spy on his son while he is away in France.

In reality Polonius is a selfish and evil man, who is not concerned for his kingdom but his own comforts. Polonius gives his son Laertes advice that shows people he is a sincere man, but they are empty words with no meaning. As being a spy for the king he is incredibly sneaky and even sends spy’s to spy on his son while he is away in France. He furthers the theme of appearance and reality by lying to his daughter Ophelia that Hamlet does not love her and he is a bad person in general. His character seen by other is truly masked by his antics of loyalty and trust.

Conclusion

Throughout the play, there are several differences between appearances vs. reality. Everyone is full of deception and ulterior motives. All characters in the play appear to be true and honest, but the truth is they wear the veil of deception. By seeing the problems and deception going on in Denmark, it is easy to say there is truly something rotten in the state of Denmark.

Ophelia

Ophelia appears to be honest and truthful towards her lover Hamlet. She is a fair lady that is very trustworthy to the kingdom and her father Polonius. Ophelia tells her fateher that she would never disobey him and tell Polonius that she will no linger see Hamlet. To Hamlet she tries to appear uncaring to his love letters and poems by giving them back Hamlet, but they are refused and she keeps them. Ophelia is made to look sweet by Shakespear asn gives a very innocent appeal to the crowd.

Ophelia quotes to prove

Ophelia reality

In reality Ophelia is very manipulated by her father and does what he tells her to do. She isn't really her own person throughout the lay and is easily influenced by others. Even though she is suppose to make it look as she does not have feelings towards Hamlet, she is devoted to him and loves him deeply. In my opinion she is the only character that is hurt severely.

Polonius tells Ophelia to walk in the courtyard as if reading a book. He muses that people often use appearances to "sugar o'er the devil" Act 3This shows the way people manipulate Ophelia to get the result they want to get.

Hamlet appearance

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

Hamlets childhood friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are to character that appear to have good intentions for Hamlet. They act as if they are there to help support Hamlet through his madness and give him some much needed support. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are only deceptive to Hamlet.

Due to the death of his father King Hamlet, Hamlet is set with a deep sadness that makes him appear insane. He uses this to his advantage and sets up a plan to make all the other characters in the play believe that he in actuality is mad. This is all an act that will ultimately benefit his father and finally put him to rest over an unjust death. Hamlet plays it off as if he has become this way with the rejection of his lover Ophelia. This is an easy option for Hamlet and he begins to act cruel, ignorant, and unloving to his lover. The role Hamlet plays in his own act is almost flawless, By pulling off the appearance of madness due to rejected love. Hamlet’s insane act helps him with his ultimate goal of helping his dead father.

Hamlet reality

In reality Hamlet is just over taken by grief of his dead father and re-married mother. He is a very smart man who fools all the other characters that he is insane when in actuality he is not. Ophelia is greatly affected by Hamlet when he tells her he loves her not and acts cruel and ignorant towards her. The cruelty is an act, and Hamlet truly loves Ophelia and expresses these emotions after she has already committed suicide. Hamlet was ultimately his own demise by causing too much emotional pain to others for his own gain.

Hamlet Quotes

“I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the king and queen molt no feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and, indeed, it goes heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o’er hanging firmament, this majestical roof, fretted with golden fire-why, it appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors.”- Hamlet Act 2.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern reality

In reality Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are not there to help support Hamlet. King Claudius has hired them with a bribe to act friendly towards him and pry information from his mouth for the benefit of the king. Both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern pretend to be Hamlets friend, but have ulterior motives for being there.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Quotes as proof

Guildenstern states, “What should we say my lord?” Act 2 completely denying the fact that they were sent for by the king and queen. Both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show there appearance of being Hamlets friends, but in truth they have a hidden reason for visiting to Hamlet.

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