Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most interpreted plays for the most part being due to the several themes interpreted in it. “There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.” (A.I,S.4,98) With one of the earlier quotes in the play setting the atmosphere for Hamlet, it is clear that one of those themes are appearance vs. reality. Appearance vs. reality is a major theme in Hamlet that is constantly embedded throughout the entire play. Appearance vs. reality plays itself in Hamlets play within a play; The Murder of Gonzago, appearance vs. reality sets the setting in every major scene such as Hamlet’s performance of his ‘feigned madness,’ the leave of Laertes, along with the concerns of Claudius for Hamlet’s well being and, appearance vs. reality
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reality is a major theme present in major scenes of the play. Aside from Hamlet’s play within a play, appearance vs. reality plays itself as a turning point in major scenes. “Get thee to a nunnery, farewell if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go and quickly to.” (A.III, S.I, 135-40) Here Hamlet displays much disrespect towards Ophelia, meanwhile his antic disposition is played on the entire kingdom of him being love sick over her and merely using her as a kind of ‘bait.’ “You shall do marvel’s wisely, good Reynaldo, before you visit him, to make inquire of his behaviour.” (A.II,S.I,3-5) After Polonius had given his son Laertes much ‘loving fatherly advice’ prior his leave to France, in the following scene, Polonius sends one of his men; Reynaldo, to go off and spy on Laertes for him indicating his lack of trust for his son and even to satisfy the nature of his own curious …show more content…
reality overtakes every major character’s role through the duration of the play having them appear a certain way to the ‘public eye’ also, through their soliloquies that reveal their true characters. Major characters such as Hamlet, King Claudius, Polonius, Rozencrants and Guildenstern, Queen Gertrude, and Ophelia all appear seemingly focused on an external subject but in reality are focused on an internal one. Hamlet not only puts on an antic disposition to investigate the reality of others, but also of himself. Hamlet ends up putting off his inital actions for revenge in search for the reality. “With my father killed, my mother dishonoured, and other spurs to both my reasons and passions- and yet I sleep through it all.” (A.VI,S.I) During Hamlet’s soliloquy, Hamlet comes to his realization of all the time he had spent only attempting to convict the King of his guilt and failing to act upon
reality is a major theme present in major scenes of the play. Aside from Hamlet’s play within a play, appearance vs. reality plays itself as a turning point in major scenes. “Get thee to a nunnery, farewell if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go and quickly to.” (A.III, S.I, 135-40) Here Hamlet displays much disrespect towards Ophelia, meanwhile his antic disposition is played on the entire kingdom of him being love sick over her and merely using her as a kind of ‘bait.’ “You shall do marvel’s wisely, good Reynaldo, before you visit him, to make inquire of his behaviour.” (A.II,S.I,3-5) After Polonius had given his son Laertes much ‘loving fatherly advice’ prior his leave to France, in the following scene, Polonius sends one of his men; Reynaldo, to go off and spy on Laertes for him indicating his lack of trust for his son and even to satisfy the nature of his own curious …show more content…
reality overtakes every major character’s role through the duration of the play having them appear a certain way to the ‘public eye’ also, through their soliloquies that reveal their true characters. Major characters such as Hamlet, King Claudius, Polonius, Rozencrants and Guildenstern, Queen Gertrude, and Ophelia all appear seemingly focused on an external subject but in reality are focused on an internal one. Hamlet not only puts on an antic disposition to investigate the reality of others, but also of himself. Hamlet ends up putting off his inital actions for revenge in search for the reality. “With my father killed, my mother dishonoured, and other spurs to both my reasons and passions- and yet I sleep through it all.” (A.VI,S.I) During Hamlet’s soliloquy, Hamlet comes to his realization of all the time he had spent only attempting to convict the King of his guilt and failing to act upon