Hamlet By Shakespeare
Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's best-known plays, tells the tale of a young Danish prince who must uncover the truth about his father's death. Hamlet's uncle Claudius, the King's brother, does the honourable deed and takes control of good King Hamlet's throne and also his queen, Gertrude, after the two are married. As the play unfolds, Hamlet finds out his father was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide behind a shroud of falseness. Four of the main characters that hide ...
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reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives his advice only to appear to be a good father. The reality is he only speaks to appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then actually be good. Polonius even ends his speech to his son by saying:
"And borrowing dulleth th' edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!" (I, iii, ll. 77-81).
Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, but then immediately sends a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his duplicity when he gives the appearance of a loving father who cares for his son, when in reality he lied about his trust for his son. His advice he gives his son is rehearsed and only said to give the appearance of a gentle father. Polonius further adds to the theme by ordering Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. Polonius says to her:
"Ay, ...
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the real reason for his actions. As the play continues the two are asked again by the king to again try to find the reason for Hamlet's behavior. Hamlet insults them at every chance knowing they are lying to him about there purpose of the visit. He tells his mother, the Queen, "There's letters seal'd, and my two schoolfellows,
Whom I trust as I will adders fang'd,
They bear the mandate, they must sweep my way
And marshal me to knavery" (III, iv, ll. 202-205).
As the tragedy continues, Hamlet goes with them to England. Hamlet is sent by the king to speak with the King of England. In actuality, Hamlet is sent off to be killed because Claudius thinks that he knows too much and must ...
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Hamlet By Shakespeare. (2007, August 18). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-By-Shakespeare/69780
"Hamlet By Shakespeare." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 18 Aug. 2007. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-By-Shakespeare/69780>
"Hamlet By Shakespeare." Essayworld.com. August 18, 2007. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-By-Shakespeare/69780.
"Hamlet By Shakespeare." Essayworld.com. August 18, 2007. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-By-Shakespeare/69780.
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