Hamlet

In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, there are a wide array of themes. The most important being that of appearance vs. reality. This theme is consistent throughout the play, and spawns the other themes .It also incorporates all the major motifs in the play. The theme is strengthened by the use of symbolism and enables the reader to predict future events in the play. Without the theme of appearance versus reality, the play would lack plot, action, and intrigue, causing readers to lose interest.
The major motif of madness in “Hamlet” is created by the theme of appearance vs. reality. Hamlet’s fabricated madness is the cause of a major part of the action in the play. Of course, none would be possible if it had not been for Hamlet’s decision to
Clearly the theme of appearance vs. reality can be seen here which proves that the major action is carried out through this theme. Without it, the play would be as any other story in the sense that the protagonist takes quick, immediate action. Rather, Hamlet, who is considered by many to be a great character, is a character that is intellectual while able to maintain a feigned madness. In fact, other criticisms question whether Hamlet was actually mad or not. Such contentions were built on observations by an anonymous author who stated Hamlet may be mad because “he has a lot of stress, has to deal with his mother’s adultery, his father’s murder,” He follows by demonstrating why Hamlet is not mad: “tells his mother that he is not crazy, asks her to keep it a secret. Hamlet always thinks things through, a madman would just act on impulse”. Furthermore, it is important that Hamlet acts out through madness because it adds depth to the plot. And, in doing so is contributing to the theme of appearance vs. reality, so it can be concluded that appearance vs. reality is indeed the most valuable
This relates to the theme of appearance vs. reality and reiterates its importance to the play. “I am too much in the sun.”These remarks by Hamlet are referring to the fact that he is not himself. This is detracted from the knowledge that when something is left in the sun, it begins to deteriorate and becomes a mere shell of itself. He continues on how the sun breed’s maggots, and the tie is how Claudius is that. The evil that has been created is Claudius and he is a symbol of all evil and unjust. The next symbol is Laertes. He is symbolic of Hamlet because he is faced with the same dilemma but is the complete opposite in how he executes his revenge. In order for Hamlet to carry out his revenge, he constructs a play to re-enact what happened the night Claudius murdered King Hamlet. This is a symbol of Hamlet’s behavior. He appears to be doing an ordinary thing, but in reality has a thought-out plan to catch Claudius red-handed. Laertes, on the other hand, bluntly goes out and decides he will kill Hamlet. He does not plan, nor does he care what must be done to get his vengeance. “Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most thoroughly for my father.” He exemplifies the stereotypical action character, because that is the usual sequence a character would take in a situation like that. Thus symbolically, the audience can see what the play would be like if Hamlet acted as