Hamlet one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, where the young prince of Denmark must uncover the truth about his fathers death. Hamlet a play that tells the story of a young prince who's fatherrecently died. Hamlets uncle Claudius marries his mother the queen and takes the throne. As the play is told Hamlet finds out his father was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested 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 (Guildenstern), the king Cluadius. From behind this mask they give the impression of a person who is sincere and genuine, in reality they are plagued with lies and evil. Their appearances will make it very difficult for Hamlet to uncover the truth. Polonius, the kings royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of a loving and caring person. Polonius appears to be a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. Polonius gives his son some advice that sounds sincere but in reality, it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives his advice only to appear to be the loving and caring father. The reality is that he only does this to make himself look better in other peoples' eyes. 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 appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on hi...