Appearance Vs. Reality In Hamlet

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Throughout Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of Appearance versus Reality stays constant. Many characters in the play appear to be honest and sincere but are really filled with deceit and mischievousness. Additionally, Hamlet the Prince of Demark displays many strong yet justified feelings and emotions. His despair, anger and melancholy are all emotions for this troubled character. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the word See operates in a unique way the shows both enhanced perception and insightful feeling across multiple characters.
When Gertrude questions why Hamlet is still mourning in Act 1, Scene 2, two months after his father has died, Hamlet responds "Seems, madam? Nay, it is, I know not 'seems.'" (1.2.75-76). The contrast between “seems” and “is” plays a crucial role in the play. Later in the play, Polonius gives off a persona of a …show more content…

Hamlet continues to forcibly instill these ideas on Ophelia until he finally leaves the scene. Following Hamlet’s encounter with Ophelia, he confronts Claudius on the matter of his guilt. He reveals more thoughts of anger and outrage upon Claudius. Claudius then trys to pray and absolve his sins. Hamlet, with his sword drawn, declares that Claudius should die in a state of sin, not under prayer. In Hamlet’s mind his father was murdered before being able to ask for forgiveness and now he shall do the same to Claudius. He concludes hell will be the destination of his uncle's soul. This shows that not only was he upset with his father's murder but also that he wasn't given the opportunity to absolve his sins. In Michael Stringley’s criticism of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet entitled “Hamlet’s Prophetic Soul” he focuses on an aspect of Hamlet’s behavior that seems for some strange reason, to have escaped attention and is commonly overlooked. He believes that Hamlet uses powers of divination or a “sixth sense” to guide him through the perils of the Danish

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