FREE ESSAY ON HAMLET

HAMLET

No one who can truly understand Shakespeare can be shocked because everything we want and
everything we do not want is contained within; it is man's ultimate truth. Shakespeare's
work is the ultimate truth for mankind. "No utter surprise can come to him who reaches
Shakespeare's core; that which we seek and shun is there--man's final lore." H. Melville
was saying that Shakespeare contains the best and the worst in man and shows its truth.
William Shakespeare in his piece Hamlet effectively used characterization and dialog to
express the idea that there is often a difference between appearance and reality.
William Shakespeare effectively used characterization to help support the main idea of
Hamlet. Characterization was used effectively to first introduce Hamlet into the play.
Shakespeare used a series of puns to show that Hamlet is sarcastic and intelligent, and
that he dislikes the king and has little respect for him. When Shakespeare wrote, "A
little more than kin, and less than kind!" (Act I, Scene II, Lines 68-69) Hamlet was
saying that he is now twice related to Claudius, as a son and as a nephew, and that he is
not like Claudius and he is not kind to him. It showed Hamlet's cynicism and
intelligence.
Shakespeare also used dialogue effectively to help demonstrate the underlying theme in
Hamlet. Since the entire story is a play, it is presented through dialogue. For example,
when Hamlet gave instructions to the players for the play-within-a-play it showed the
difference between appearance and reality. Hamlet gave the players instructions to add a
scene, which resembled the murder of Hamlet's father. The players appeared to be
performing a simple play but it was actually a plan by Hamlet to catch the king. "The
play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." (Act II Scene II Lines
612-613) Hamlet wanted to use the players and the play and watch the reaction of Claudius
to prove that he really had murdered his father. Hamlet's actions showed the difference
between appearance and reality.
There are numerous references throughout Hamlet, which allude to the difference between
appearance and reality. For example, Hamlet has a strong dislike of outward show. This
dislike and his false madness combined to further strengthen this theme. This was also
highlighted by the hypocrisy and the flattery of the courtiers in the castle toward
Claudius. The show respect to his face but in reality, they truly dislike the King. In
addition, the numerous scenes of spying and eavesdropping help strengthen this theme.
The quote from Melville and the underlying theme of Hamlet only begin to explain the
ultimate truth that Shakespeare wrote. This truth is the best and the worst of mankind.
This cannot surprise anyone who truly understands the meaning of Shakespeare.