Reality, Illusion, Appearance, and Deception in Shakespeares Hamlet Es

Reality, Illusion, Appearance, and Deception in Shakespeargons Hamlet As appearances evasive action an important role in todays society, so they also play an important role in William Shakespeares play Hamlet. From the first scene to the last, Shakespeare elaborates on the theme of appearance versus truthfulness through plot and character. The plays plot is full of incidents and events that are not what they appear to be. One such incident is Ophelias ambiguous death. When, from the Queen, the audience first learns of her passing, the girls death seems very peaceful, poetic and accidental. But later, during the Graveyard Scene, when the clowns are discussing her death, they come apart it as a suicide. Does Ophelia, as it appears, absent-mindedly set foot too far into the murky waters and, held down by her heavy garments, meets with her untimely death? Or, does she, angry with grief caused by Hamlets insanity and her fathers death, willingly march to her muddy grave? Anot her example occurs when Laertes, Ophelias brother, and King Claudius devise the Triple-Pronged plan. They set up a affaire dhonneur between Hamlet and Laertes. Since both young men are presumably using bated swords, this confrontation appears to be a simple, ordinary fencing match, no one will get hurt. Despite its harmless appearance, this duel proves deadly, for not only does Laertes plan to use an unbated and poisoned sword, but Claudius also prepares a poisoned drink for Hamlet. in that location are also many spy plots set up during the play which may also be considered as deceiving events. These spy plots demonstrate the appearance versus reality theme since they are invisible to the spied upon, but weave a web of dishonesty. In Act II, Scene... ...C. Quote. Literary Companion to British Authors William Shakespeare. San Diego Greenhaven, 1996. Danson, Lawrence. Tragic Alphabet. Modern detailed Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. clean York City Chelsea House Publish ers, 1986. 65-86 Findlay, Alison. Hamlet A Document in Madness. New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York AMS Press, 1994. 189-205. Hopkins, Lisa. Parison and the Impossible Comparison. New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York AMS Press, 1994. 153-164. Rose, Mark. Reforming the Role. Modern Critical Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York City Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 117-128 Wiggins, Martin. Hamlet Within the Prince. New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York AMS Press, 1994. 209-226.