Theme Of Appearance Vs Reality In Hamlet

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Madness is one of the many themes presented in Hamlet. Revenge and love are also thematic roles played by Hamlet. Hamlet wants revenge against Claudius because he killed his father, King Hamlet. He pretends to be on the peak on insanity so well that the reader can not decipher whether he is pretending or he is actually crazy. Simon Augustine Blackmore, writer of “The Riddles of Hamlet and The Newest Answers”, written in 1917, discusses the acting within the characters in the play. There is a consistent theme of appearance versus reality in each character, the most obvious being Hamlet. In Hamlet, many of the characters appear to be one way, sincere and loyal, while they are the opposite. Six of the characters pretend to be one way and are actually another. They are Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Hamlet is the most well-known character who demonstrates the theme of appearance versus reality. Hamlet pretends to be insane because his father died, he blames his insanity on his mother for marrying his uncle, and for Ophelia’s rejection. Hamlet pretends because he wants to know of Claudius’ intentions, which then Hamlet will avenge his father’s death and kill Claudius and blame his insanity. Hamlet says to Horatio, “How strange or odd …show more content…
He want’s the villagers to believe he cares about Hamlet and Gertrude. In reality, Claudius is the one who killed his brother. He also does not care about Hamlet because once he learns Hamlet is suspicious of his actions, he tells England to kill him in Act 4, “Do it, England, / For like the hectic in my blood he rages, / And thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done, / Howe'er my hopes, my joys were ne'er begun”(4.3.67-70). Claudius lies to the other characters because he is a deceiptful person. Claudius also appears to be investigating on Hamlet to ensure that he will stop grieving and be less depressed. Claudius

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