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Motifs In Hamlet

543 Words3 Pages

There are a replete of motifs in Hamlet but the one that sticks out the most is appearance vs reality. At the start of the play, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seem like good-hearted and trustworthy people but as the play progresses, it seems like they are evil and liars. This helps develop the central idea that they are not what they seem which makes its hard for Hamlet to find the truth behind his father’s death even after the ghost’s accusation.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Hamlet’s childhood friends but they only pretend to be his friends and go see him because the king asks them too. They can not refuse even if they wanted to because it was the King's command. However, Hamlet sees through their act and calls them out on it. “... You were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in your look which your modertres have not craft enough to color. I know the good king and queen have sent for you.” (2.2.300-304). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern confess that there were sent for but Hamlet does not take any actions against them because he does …show more content…

Polonius cares a lot about how others perceive him. So when his son Laertes asked to go to France, Polonius grants him permission. Polonius gives the impression of a trusting father but in fact he does not trust Laertes at all. He sends spies to follow Laertes and watch his every move. Another example of appearance vs reality is when Polonius tells Ophelia that Hamlet does not love her and that she should stay away from him. “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth have you so slander any moment leisure as go give words or talk with lord Hamlet.” (1.4.141-143). However, the truth is that Hamlet does love Ophelia and Polonius knows it. Polonius tries to appear as a trustworthy man and loving father but his true nature is that he’s a liar and

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