Hamlet Essay On Appearance Vs Reality
Is it real, or is it not real, that is the question. In William Shakespeare’s world renowned play Hamlet, there are situations that appear to be honest but in reality they are deceitful. In act 3 scene 1, there is one case in particular that touches on this subject. Polonius and Claudius’s dialogue (lines 43-56) allude to the motif of appearance versus reality by the use of a symbol to deepen the question of what is genuinely real and what is an allusion when it comes to labelling women as deceitful.
The symbol of a harlot’s cheek serves to prove the theme of now women are living embodiments of appearance trying to evade reality. Claudius is the one that is comparing how the harlot’s makeup is just as ugly as the face it covers. This is a prime
example of the motif appearance vs. reality. Claudius links deception with women since they are able to paint on a whole other face by the use of makeup. There does not seem to be any solid proof that a woman in the play was being highly deceptive, but Claudius still chooses to believe it. He is making sexist remarks in this passage. Claudius truly believes that women are fundamentally dishonest. This symbol reveals how much the men in the play portray women as being deceitful creatures.
Through the use of the symbol the audience is now able to see another side to Claudius’s character. In this aside he is comparing how the prostitute’s makeup is just as ugly as the cheek it covers. In the same way his very own hypocritical behaviour is just as ugly as the murder it is covering up. The audience now knows how he is feeling as opposed to how he is appearing. The aside gave the readers some insight into who Claudius really is. The gentle concerned king facade is perfectly executed to show his appearance. However, in reality he is a coward with a dark deed resting upon his shoulders. He is not able to appear disheveled since everyone will know the truth. By masking his reality the facade is put into place.
The symbol in this passage leads to further plot development of the story. It not only enforce the idea of women being deceptive in the whole play, but it also reveals that Claudius feels like he is putting on a fake face towards the people that surround him. It is with the use of this symbol that audience is given first hand proof from Claudius himself, about the murder. The aside lets the audience know that the ghost of hamlet’s father was being truthful. Hamlet’s suspicions are not concrete and he can make a move. This aside reveals the truth about his character in that he is in reality a bad person due to him hiding the fact that he killed his own brother.
Through the use of the painting symbol, Shakespeare amplifies the theme of women being seen as “deceptive”. In the same scene Hamlet attacks women on their use of makeup. “I have heard of your paintings too... God has given you one face and you make yourselves another.” (3.1. 143-145). The paintings being the makeup women apply to enhance the face God has provided. The use of makeup replaces reality and puts a false appearance into place instead. This leads to women fooling men with the trickery. The cosmetics symbolize deceptive natures of anyone who applies it. This quote compliments the one that Claudius had said also about deception.
The passage and the other quote from the play combine to highlight the appearance versus reality motif. The use of symbolism strengthens the thematic idea of women being deceitful, since the symbol is painting/makeup. This symbol developed the plot, showed character growth and revealed an idea about the theme. It brought understanding to guide one to answer the question of what is real and what is a facade.
The symbol of a harlot’s cheek serves to prove the theme of now women are living embodiments of appearance trying to evade reality. Claudius is the one that is comparing how the harlot’s makeup is just as ugly as the face it covers. This is a prime
example of the motif appearance vs. reality. Claudius links deception with women since they are able to paint on a whole other face by the use of makeup. There does not seem to be any solid proof that a woman in the play was being highly deceptive, but Claudius still chooses to believe it. He is making sexist remarks in this passage. Claudius truly believes that women are fundamentally dishonest. This symbol reveals how much the men in the play portray women as being deceitful creatures.
Through the use of the symbol the audience is now able to see another side to Claudius’s character. In this aside he is comparing how the prostitute’s makeup is just as ugly as the cheek it covers. In the same way his very own hypocritical behaviour is just as ugly as the murder it is covering up. The audience now knows how he is feeling as opposed to how he is appearing. The aside gave the readers some insight into who Claudius really is. The gentle concerned king facade is perfectly executed to show his appearance. However, in reality he is a coward with a dark deed resting upon his shoulders. He is not able to appear disheveled since everyone will know the truth. By masking his reality the facade is put into place.
The symbol in this passage leads to further plot development of the story. It not only enforce the idea of women being deceptive in the whole play, but it also reveals that Claudius feels like he is putting on a fake face towards the people that surround him. It is with the use of this symbol that audience is given first hand proof from Claudius himself, about the murder. The aside lets the audience know that the ghost of hamlet’s father was being truthful. Hamlet’s suspicions are not concrete and he can make a move. This aside reveals the truth about his character in that he is in reality a bad person due to him hiding the fact that he killed his own brother.
Through the use of the painting symbol, Shakespeare amplifies the theme of women being seen as “deceptive”. In the same scene Hamlet attacks women on their use of makeup. “I have heard of your paintings too... God has given you one face and you make yourselves another.” (3.1. 143-145). The paintings being the makeup women apply to enhance the face God has provided. The use of makeup replaces reality and puts a false appearance into place instead. This leads to women fooling men with the trickery. The cosmetics symbolize deceptive natures of anyone who applies it. This quote compliments the one that Claudius had said also about deception.
The passage and the other quote from the play combine to highlight the appearance versus reality motif. The use of symbolism strengthens the thematic idea of women being deceitful, since the symbol is painting/makeup. This symbol developed the plot, showed character growth and revealed an idea about the theme. It brought understanding to guide one to answer the question of what is real and what is a facade.