Theme Of Appearance Vs Reality In Hamlet

Like how the caterpillar transforms into the beautiful butterfly, or how the chameleon changes its colour according to its surroundings, the world is a place full of a variety of people who may not act according to his/her own outward demeanor. The obvious events of appearance versus reality which occur in everyday living is also a prevalent theme throughout literature and media; William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is no exception. In fact, this theme provides the characters of Hamlet with a wall of protection to allow them to conceal their weaknesses and unruly desires which eventually lead to their demise. The honest nobleman Polonius, the newly inaugurated king Claudius, and the intelligent prince Hamlet, all use a false façade to gain their desires,
while managing to place both themselves and the state of Denmark in ruins. Faking a personality, if done with self-serving intentions, tends to trap people in a difficult situation, it takes more from a person, and leaves him/her with a lower quality of life.
As a man obsessed with outward appearances, Polonius behaves as an honest, loyal, and loving family man. To quench his desire for information, Polonius uses manipulation and dishonesty, while hiding behind his best appearance. In the beginning scenes of the play, Polonius is supporting his son, Laertes, in his departure to France; during their goodbyes, Polonius gives Laertes shallow advice on how he should behave. With these actions, Polonius is displaying his paternal role excellently, he is looking out for his son such as any good father would. What Laertes, along with other onlookers cannot realize is Polonius will send his servant, Reynaldo, to obtain all the information on Laertes' activities in France. Polonius’ desire for knowledge leads him to allow, even encourage Reynaldo to say, “'And in part him, but,' you may say, 'not well'. But, if ’t be he I mean, he’s very wild. Addicted so and so.—” And there put on him What forgeries you please.”(II.I.17-20). Due to Polonius’ earlier displays of affection towards his son, he is able to use dishonest methods of spying and spreading false information (can taint Laertes’ social life) to get what he considers to be the truth. Not only did Polonius mess with Laertes’ life, but he also decides to take control of his daughter’s romantic relationship with prince Hamlet. He urges Ophelia to talk about her meetings with Hamlet and proceeds to forbid her from seeing him, on the premise that his affections are untrue. Although Polonius’ approach was not courteous, he is once again establishing a paternal figure who is only looking out for his daughter’s well-being. As soon as Polonius hears about Hamlet’s mad actions towards Ophelia, he wishes to prove Hamlet's madness is due to heartbreak. This prompts him to use Ophelia as bait, suggesting to the king “I’ll loose my daughter to him: Be you and I behind an arras then; Mark the encounter” (II.II.160-162). Polonius’ urge to involve himself in everything, drives him to manipulate his daughter's feelings; this exposes his daughter to Hamlet, who in his madness, holds nothing back when speaking with her. All things considered, Polonius, while still caring for his family, deems his own well-being and desires as top priority; willing to sacrifice others to be in the know at all times.
In a like manner, the new ruler of Denmark, Claudius, also manages to hide his greedy, manipulative, and self-serving nature behind a kind-hearted and charming mask.
Using some backhanded methods, Claudius was able to claim the throne and wife of his dead brother. During the wedding celebration of Claudius and the queen, Gertrude, he tries to unite Denmark . Claudius announces a heart-felt speech which mentions “ Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe,” (I.II.1-4). By speaking about his brother's sudden death in a distressed but strong manner , he creates a persona people can place trust in. It eliminates thoughts of the old king dying of unnatural causes, and removes Claudius from any suspicions. Claudius' greed for power and for the love of his wife Gertrude leads him to sacrifice old Hamlet and lie to everyone about his true nature. Furthermore, he uses his false personality on his nephew Hamlet; who has been grieving for the past few months after the death of his father, the king. Claudius uses the wedding celebration as a chance to tell Hamlet to be a man and end his depressing mood. He assures Hamlet that “And with no less nobility of love Than that which dearest father bears his son Do I impart toward you.” (I.II.110-113). With this speech-like conversation, Claudius tries to end Hamlet's grieving by establishing a paternal role
over him. In reality, Claudius was trying to erase the death of old Hamlet since the grieving only kept the memory alive. Claudius’ issue with Hamlet does not end, after Hamlet agitates him by reenacting the death of the king, he feels death in imminent and decides to repent for his sins. To any passerby, Claudius looks to be praying, trying to be a more virtuous man. In reality, Claudius admits to himself that “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”(III.III.98-99). This appearance manages to protect him from Hamlet's blood lust, which allows him to continue in reaping his benefits. Once again Hamlet becomes a problem for Claudius. Upon hearing the news of Polonius' death, Claudius manages to keep up the impression of a loving father who worries for his son. Right away, he tries to ease the potential problem of public scrutiny and says “Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety— Which we do tender as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done—must send thee hence With fiery quickness. Therefore prepare thyself. The bark is ready and the wind at help, Th' associates tend, and everything is bent For England.” (IV.III.41-47). Behaving like he is sending Hamlet away to protect him, Claudius tries to ease Hamlet of any suspicion that may arise. In the background, Claudius knows that Hamlet is a threat to his desires and proceeds to manipulate England into killing Hamlet, solving Claudius the issue of killing Hamlet himself. In the points above, Claudius manages to protect himself from both Hamlet and the public taking away what he desires: power, riches, and the love of Gertrude. By using his greedy, selfish, and manipulative behavior, he manages to execute all he needs to.
The protagonist of play, uses his quick wit and intelligence to pass off as a dangerous madman who is unpredictable in his actions.
In particular, he shows how well he has led people to believe in his madness whilst he was conversing with Ophelia. When Ophelia's father sends her to end her relationship with Hamlet, Hamlet declares “You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.” (III.I.117-119). Hamlet continues to behave in manner so unlike his usual self that even Ophelia, a person who loves and knows Hamlet well, cannot distinguish his act. Although Hamlet may not mean what he conveys to her, he's able to spread the word of his madness which will help him in continuing on his path for revenge. Furthermore, Hamlet continues to convince people of his insanity by using riddles and speaking in a matter which is difficult for most understand. While speaking to old schoolmates Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, Hamlet is able to use his intelligence to take hold of the situation, realizing that Claudius had sent these two for information. In their conversation, Hamlet feels confident enough to admit that "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. "(II.II.351-352).This scene displays how well Hamlet is able to read situations. He now knows people believe and have taken notice of his odd behavior, which will help him in becoming unaccountable for his actions.
Additionally, Hamlet requests a traveling group of actors to put on The Murder of Gonzago for both himself and the rest of the court. He greets them with the most enthusiasm he ever shows in the entirety of the play. Hamlet makes sure to form a good connection with the players so that his request of, “ You could, for a need, study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and insert in ’t, could you not?” (II.II.537-538), will not be refused. By hiding behind this mask and pleasantry and insanity, he is able to organize a play that will showcase the story of his father's murder. Hamlet will finally be able to catch the king's reaction to the bloody deed, which helps reveal if his "father's spirit" is leading him astray. In the end, Hamlet was able to convince those around him of his change in stability, helping him in his future plans of sending Claudius to spiritual damnation.