Duplicity In Shakespeare's Hamlet

The play Hamlet has captivated audiences and readers for decades. Much like many of Shakespeare’s other plays; the first thing recognized is the inexplicable storyline. Shakespeare always generates relatable characters that are complex at heart and have a sense of mystery about them. In most cases even the most clever audience members or readers still come away not completely understanding everything about a character. This would be due to the deceptive underlying nature to the play.

Contradictory doublings of thought, speech and action; especially the belying of one 's true intentions by deception. This is a concept that everyone in this room is familiar with and is evidenced in our everyday lives. Some accept it in our community and say it is just human nature. This is the concept of duplicity. Duplicity affects decisions and actions made throughout our

This is shown when he is questioned by Gertrude about his recent downhearted ways. Hamlet says, "Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not 'seems. '" (1.2.76). He simply states, "I am what I appear to be". But Later on in the same act Hamlet makes an proclamation about his current behaviors when he pledges himself to revenge his father’s death. At this point in the play Hamlet appears to make a complete change in character. He transforms from a mourning son into a man who is driven by dishonest thoughts.

Hamlet appears to be one of the most deceptive characters of the play. He uses an act of madness as a tool of deception to draw focus away from his wary actions as he tries to gather evidence. Polonius and Laertes influenced Ophelia to not see Hamlet romantically; reflecting his new deceptive though process, Hamlet uses his relationship with Ophelia to trick everyone into thinking he is mad in love. He led everyone to believe this was the cause of his