Characters within one of William Shakespeare's greatest tragic plays, Hamlet, appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested with many falsehoods and deceptions.

Claudius also exemplifies the appearance versus reality theme, by the fact that appears to be kind and gentle. In actuality, he is using his kindness and gentleness as a mask to cover up the malicious murder that he so violently committed. Claudius through out the play feels guilt for action, and thus tries to repent for his sin in Act III, Scene iii by praying. In his prayer he mourns, “My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer / Can serve my turn? ‘Forgive me my foul murder’? ” (III. iii. 52-53). In this scene Claudius is not clear on what to feel. He struggles to get out his prayer, because he is unsure if he will be forgiven. He wants to repent for his sin, but he knows that he cannot because he is not truly sorry. In Act III, Scene iii Claudius lists some reasons why he asks for forgiveness. He states, “Of those effects for which I did the murder / My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen” (III. iii. 55-56). Claudius realizes that externally he wants to seek forgiveness but internally cannot give up the positions that he unrightfully gained. Claudius thus realizes that he has to separate his own deceptive illusion from of true feelings. This fake illusion assures Claudius that his secret his kept hidden. Consequently, under his illusion, Claudius is no longer a mean and selfish individual; instead he appears, in all aspects, to be the perfect gentlemen.

Probably, the character that most epitomizes the theme, appearance versus reality, is Hamlet himself. Hamlet acts, as he is a mad man. He acts very strangely, which in turn arises a question amongst those around him: is Hamlet insane? He appears to be mad in order to conceal his true feelings and intentions: to avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius. Hamlet does not, however, deviate from his goal and in the process kills three innocent individuals, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Polonius, without having feelings of guilt. The separation between Hamlet and his madness proves that his madness is just an appearance. Hamlet knows that his madness is a just a mask used to cover up his true feeling of caring for no one but himself. Hamlet has a mask of madness that he uses to conceal his true feelings. In Act V, Scene i, Hamlet takes off his mask to genuinely express remorse for Ophelia’s unfortunate demise. He comparatively states, “I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers / Could not, with all their quantity of love, / Make up my sum” (V. i. 263-265). This expression of sincerity greatly contrasts with the times that he harassed Ophelia with denigrating words that demeaned her existence. More importantly, the comparison provides the reader with a clear, focused picture of the two different personality types of Hamlet. On one side, Hamlet is crude and full of deceptions, on the contrarily he is also a loving and understanding person.

Through the characters in the play, the superficial theme, appearance verses reality, is analyzed.  Polonius, Claudius and Hamlet all appear to be good and honest, but internally all contain lies and have hidden intentions within them. The characters portray themselves as one person on the outside and a different one on the inside, infesting themselves with deception and falsehood. By continually wearing these masks, the characters have created an environment of confusion and disorder, ultimately resulting in a tragedy – their demise.