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Hamlet Is Only Skin Deep

 

            
             The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality, .
             which is Shakespeare's way of warning people that things are only what they appear to .
             be.Characters within the play seem to be true and honest but in reality.
             they?re diseased with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide behind a mask of .
             falseness. Four of the main characters that hid behind this mask are Polonius, .
             Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the king Cluadius. From behind this mask they gave the.
             impression of people who were sincere and genuine, in reality they were plagued with .
             lies and evil. Their appearance only makes it difficult for Hamlet to uncover the truth.
             Polonius, the king's royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearance. He .
             always wants to keep up the appearance of a loving and caring person. Polonius seems .
             to be a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. Polonius gives his son advice that .
             sounds sincere but in reality it's rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives his .
             advice only to appear to be the loving caring father. The reality is he only speaks to .
             appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then actually be good: "And borrowing .
             dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, .
             as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing .
             season this in thee!"(Act 1) Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he .
             sends a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for .
             anyone; he gives the facade of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on his .
             own. In reality he lies about his trust for his son by sending a spy to watch him. Polonius .
             further adds to the theme of appearance verses reality by ordering Ophelia to stop seeing .
             Hamlet. He lies to her telling her that Hamlet does not love her, he only lusts for her, .
             while in truth he does love her:Ay, springes to catch woodcocks.


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