Appearance vs. reality

Apperance vs. reality is a theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Claudius’ facade

Hamlet is a play where people constantly lie and try to manipulate or deceive one another. One example of this is King Claudius. Outwardly, he pretends to love Hamlet as a son and share in Getrude’s concern for his sanity (1.2.118-120). In his wedding speech, Claudius also pretends that he is still mourning his brother’s death, while reminding everyone that the living must think of themselves and carry on living: 

Although the memory of Hamlet’s death, our dear brother, is still fresh (...) nature has fought judgment to such an extent that we remember it with wise sorrow, at the same time remembering ourselves. (1.2.1-7)

This is his way of excusing his marriage to Gertrude. Cladius is a skilled manipulator and knows how to present himself as a person of good moral character, a grieving brother, and a loving uncle. In the beginning of the play, the audience does n...