Appearance V.S Reality

Hamlet

Appearance

Conclusion

Hamlet in many ways comes off as a madman, a loving partner, or a sophisticated politician. Hamlet has many faces in the Hamlet tragedy, some may never know if Hamlet was really mad or if it was just all for his devious plan to get revenge on the King. However Hamlet is able to change his personality instantly throughout a conversation. Even when Hamlet is speaking to himself he talks to himself as if he was a madman as well. This causes the audience to question whether Hamlet was really mad or was it all apart of his scheme for revenge.

Polonius

Appearance

"To be or not to be?" Indeed that is the question. Each character in Hamlet struggles with the ideas of their appearances versus their reality's. Each of their hidden identities are their way to hide their insecurities. For each character they use these tactics to get ahead in the game of life and death. However for instance Ophelia's character did not benefit from hiding her real identity because it ended up with her in a state of confusion and later her death. Furthermore both Hamlet and King Claudius use their fake identities to their advantage as they were able to act more profoundly than all of the other characters.

Polonius is the father of Ophelia and Laertes, and as well King Claudius's right hand man. Polonius acts as if he is smart but rather he is just a blundering buffoon underneath. Polonius is there to do the King's dirty work, as in socialize with Hamlet to get information about his plans, as well corralling all the gossip around the castle. Polonius may think he is a respected and honorable politician towards the people of Denmark, however they're all just laughing behind his back.

Hamlet

Reality

It is hard to pin point where exactly what Hamlet's real personality was like, because of his many different personalities the audience doesn't really know which one was actually his. However Hamlet's many personalities is how he tricks the entire castle into believing he really is mad. Hamlet's madness was all part of his plan to get revenge on the king, and Hamlet played this character all the way to his death bed.

One of Polonius's brilliant quotes from Hamlet

"Very like a whale." - Polonius

Polonius

Reality

Polonius isn't the most intelligent character in the cast of Hamlet. Polonius can either be a devoted Father or a ruthless politician. Polonius is also the comedic relief in this tragedy, as trying to be a smart individual it just comes across to the audience as comedic. Polonius also devises a plan to check up on his son Laertes but using an odd way of checking up on him. Polonius is the classic embarrassing father that will go to any length to try and embarrass you even if he thinks he's not in any way.

The Cast of Hamlet:

Appearance Versus Reality

Discovering Hamlet

Claudius

Ophelia

Appearance

In this exploration, I discover the true appearance of each character from the cast of Hamlet. Observing their real identities versus their fake identities, and the reasons behind these transitions of character. The glasses on each of the character's appearances represent how they disguise themselves in front of other people.

Claudius being the antagonist of Hamlet, says he is sincere for his love towards Hamlet's mother Gertrude, but this may be one of Claudius's strategies in maintaining his power over the throne. On the outside Claudius comes across as an intelligent, well- spoken individual who may act rashly when a situation erupts. However all of Claudius's actions only help his success in the long run.

Ophelia who is Hamlet's love interest and as well Polonius's daughter, is in quite a similar situation as Gertrude who is torn between her partner and her blood family. Ophelia is quite a disoriented character, she is being sent mixed feelings from Hamlet regarding their relationship, and as well Ophelia has her father using her relationship with Hamlet to get information from Hamlet. Ophelia goes along with it as long as she can but in the end she is the one who gets burned in the end.

Claudius

Ophelia

Ophelia in her mad state, using different flowers as a metaphor to the men in her life that have let her down

Reality

There's fennel for you, and columbines: there's rue

for you; and here's some for me: we may call it

herb-grace o' Sundays: O you must wear your rue with

a difference. There's a daisy: I would give you

some violets, but they withered all when my father

died: they say he made a good end,--

-Ophelia

Poor Ophelia, left romantically confused and on the verge of becoming a mad woman like her husband to be. Ophelia who has been through a lot with the death of her father, and a toxic relationship finally reveals her true self, which is a crazy basket case. All of Ophelia's emotions get torn apart and she is left trying to take care of herself on her own, which leads to the death of her in the end.

Claudius is an corrupt politician who uses his strategic way of his words to manipulate people to help him attain power. Claudius kills his brother so that he can have the throne and marries his brother's wife so that Hamlet doesn't have the throne. Claudius kills his brother by pouring poison into his ear, this is how Claudius impressive use of words is poison to anyone's ear who hears it because they're so persuasive, Claudius can make you believe anything he says is true.

Gertrude

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" - Marcellus

Appearance

Gertrude playing Hamlet's mother is in a very confusing state. She marries her brother-in-law within the two months of the death of her husband, and expects everything to be normal after that. However Gertrude's character doesn't really answer all of the loose end questions. Gertrude kind of sits in the middle of the action. As she is married to Hamlet's antagonist, Gertrude plays both sides of the argument. She wants to support Claudius because he is her spouse and is inclined to but then again Hamlet is also her son and has to support his beliefs too.

Gertrude

Reality

Gertrude the Queen of Denmark, very selfishly remarries after the death of her husband of two months ago, to her fallen spouses brother! Gertrude throughout the play switches her opinions between Claudius and Hamlet mainly upon however which way will keep her safe. Gertrude doesn't really have a definite position between the two however she keeps her opinions to herself so she doesn't draw to much attention. Gertrude is a frail little woman who always runs to the men in her life to protect her. The audience may never know if Gertrude was ever involved with the death of her husband or if she ever did love him.