Theme Of Appearance Vs Reality In Hamlet

Intro: Dr. Robert Walton states in his analysis of the work that individuals "know that their friends, and even lovers, may become false as they try to please parents and employers..." With this quote, he expresses the chicanery of everyday life, an idea that is repeatedly presented in the story of Hamlet. The characters in the piece constantly use deception, spying, and plots of revenge to try and figure out the "falsity" in what others are thinking contrasting what they are "pretending" to think.
Thesis: Throughout the play, all of the main characters in Hamlet exemplify the recurring motifs of deceit and appearance versus reality irony - the two thematic items that dictate the central issue in the play. Hamlet, however, is the best example of the thematic center of the piece, evident in many conflictual encounters throughout the plot.
Body 1: The primary example throughout Hamlet expressing appearance versus reality in the form of deceit is Hamlet's "madness" with everyone around him.
In reality, Hamlet is distraught over the death of his father and the act of infidelity when his mother remarries his Uncle, the man who killed his father. In an attempt to hide his revenge plot against his Uncle, King Claudius, for murder, he acts with antic disposition towards all around him. His act is successful and Claudius, his mother Gertrude, and Polonius all draw the conclusion that he is mad with love for Ophelia. In reality, his manipulation is the only thing behind it, and he tells his mother their conclusions were not true before killing Polonius in "" (). Horatio is the only character that knows the true reason behind his apparent madness and Hamlet uses him to help his revenge plot. Ironically, in the end, Horatio is the only character that
survives.
Body 2: Another major incident that questions appearance versus reality in the plot is Hamlet's "love" for Ophelia. This "love" is continuously questioned, as Hamlet seems to go back and forth between insulting her and expressing his affection. The appearance is best evident in a conversation that he has with her in Act III when he tells her, "I did love you..." (III.i.125) but the reality can also be shown in Act III when he mocks her and tells her to "Get thee to a nunnery," (III.i.131) expressing her lack of purity. However, it is left ambiguous as to whether his love was real or whether he only acted as though he loved her for show and manipulation.
Body 3: Hamlet spends much of the plot investigating others, as evident in the previous paragraphs. However, not only does he question others, but he also questions himself. He is very indecisive and cannot carry out the plots that he outlines for himself and also ponders the philosophy, faith, and meaning of life and death. His inaction is obvious because the only real action of the play comes in Act IV. His indecisiveness and curiosity is best exemplified in his soliloquy in () "To be or not to be" (III.i.55-87). This uncertainty ultimately serves as his tragic flaw that leads him to his death.
Conclusion: The play can be interpreted in many different ways. Nonetheless, with significant evidence, it is reasonable to conclude that the story of Hamlet is one centered on the theme that society can become corrupted by falsity in identity ending with fate of mortality for all major characters.