The Burden Of Appearance And Reality In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Words: 1351
Pages: 6
Open Document
Throughout Shakespeare’s famous play, Hamlet, the burden of appearance and reality surfaced many times, which a majority of the main characters aided to. Hamlet specifically identifies the irony shown by some characters. After Elder Hamlet’s ghost explained to younger Hamlet his gruesome death, Hamlet exclaimed: "O villain, villain, smiling damned villain! // My tables!-- Meet it is I set it down // That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain,” (Shakespeare 1.5.106-08). Hamlet described Claudius as a smiling villain; in spite of Claudius continuously presenting himself to the kingdom as a respectable public figure. Hamlet learned that in privacy, Claudius was a sinner and criminal. Another instance when Hamlet exposed the reality of …show more content…
Later in the play, Hamlet mentioned to Gertrude his thoughts about being sent to England. He announced he no longer trusted his Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because he knew they were trying to pry him; however, Hamlet was content with that, he said: “For ’its the sport to have the engineer // Hoist with his own petard. And ’t shall go hard // But I will delve one yard below their mines, // And blow them at the moon...” (3.4.211-14). He referred to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as engineers that would be killed by their own bombs. Engineers used to have to ignite their bombs manually in hopes for it to wound the enemy, not themselves. Alas, most of the bombs self-detonated on the engineers. Hamlet would find it pleasurable if the work of Claudius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern resulted in self-detonation. Lastly, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were summoned by Claudius to inquire Hamlet’s rationalization as to why he acted crazy. Hamlet promptly became suspicious of their intentions and gave Rosencrantz and Guildenstern several opportunities to reveal them. “Visiting you, my lord. // There’ no other reason,” (2.2. 265) was their alibi. In a long winded speech, Hamlet unmasked their visit’s incentive; to spy on him. Consequently, Rosencrantz and
Show More

Related Documents: The Burden Of Appearance And Reality In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Essay MP 1

Dianna Jeong Grevstad AP Literature 12 March 2015 Hamlet and Meursault The literary pieces, Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Stranger by Albert Camus, revolve around existential characters Hamlet and Meursault who are put into similar, tragic circumstances. The nature of the characters, leads to different, significant downfalls. Shakespeare’s intent was to tell a classic tragedy caused by a man’s hubris; he gives Hamlet a heroic ending by giving him the means to find his own essence and set…

Words 2733 - Pages 11