The motif of appearance versus reality is common in William
Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. From the beginning of the play with the
appearance of the ghost, we are constantly faced with people and things
that are not as they appear. Claudius, Gertrude, Rosencrantz, and
Guildenstern, as well as Hamlet himself become suspects when it comes to
appearing to be one thing while secretly being another. Shakespeare's
emphasis on what is real and what is imaginary is one of the techniques
that allows Hamlet to remain a popular play.
The first instance of reality versus appearance can be seen when
Marcellus, Barnado, and Horatio encounter the ghost in the first act.
Barnado even asks, "Looks he not like the King' " (I.i.50). When Hamlet
sees the ghost, we are presented with another motif of appearance versus
reality. (I.ii.191) This motif resurfaces again in the night while Hamlet
and Horatio are talking. Hamlet cannot decide if the ghost is a "spirit of
health or a goblin damned" (I.iv.44). In the third act, the ghost
reappears and causes Hamlet to admit he is not mad, but to Gertrude, Hamlet
has just confirmed his madness by speaking to the apparition.
Claudius gives us the next motif of appearance versus reality. In his
speech, he appears to be concerned about his "dear brother's death"
(I.ii.1), when in reality, he is a murderer. We see the real Claudius when
he "keeps wassail" (I.iv.10) in the middle of the night. Claudius displays
actions that cannot be easily discerned when he reacts to the Mousetrap
play. We do not know if he is reacting because he is guilty or frightened.
Claudius admits to not liking Hamlet, despite what his outward actions
reveal. (III.iii.1) Claudius contrasts his appearance when he is alone and
admits to killing King Hamlet. He also adds complexity to his character
when he appears to want to repent for his sin but cannot. Interestingly,
whil...