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Hamlet Spying And Deception - College Essay

Hamlet Spying And Deception

Who’s there?” (1,I,1), is the opening line of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, a question
asked by a soldier on guard duty. A sentinel starting his midnight shift normally expects to
relieve his fellow sentry as usual; yet he still wonders and challenges the identity of his fellow
sentry, because he wonders if it may be someone spying. The question displays that there is a
need to assure that one is not being deceived. Spying and deception introduce the play and
continue to dominate the play, contributing to a major theme of Hamlet. The theme of
‘appearance versus reality” is developed through the deception and spying in the play.
The tone of deception ...

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that adulterate beast.
With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts-
A witched wit, and gifts that have the power
So to seduce! - won to his shameful lust
The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen. (1,V,42-46)
On more than one occasion Claudius sends Rosencrants and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet.
Although they are supposed to be Hamlet’s schoolmates, Claudius uses them as pawns in his
attempt to reveal what Hamlet is doing. Claudius gets Rosencrants and Guildenstern to
accompany Hamlet on his way to be killed. Although Claudius states that he loves Hamlet, he
arranges for Hamlet to be killed in England. When his original plan is unsuccessful, he schemes
a trap for Hamlet to fall into. The guilt from Claudius’ deception and spying eventually builds
up on him:
O ‘tis too true.
How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience
The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plast’ring art,
Is not more ugly to the ...

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Hamlet Spying And Deception. (2008, March 8). Retrieved October 2, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Spying-And-Deception/80199

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/8/2008 06:38:30 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 767
Pages: 3

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