Throughout Hamlet there is an ongoing theme of deception

Although Claudius is the leading liar in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, right behind him is Polonius. Polonius’ character is driven by Ericsson’s theory on the Out and Out lie.  Polonius out and out lies to all his peers in order to get the information that he desires.  Polonius lies to keep his connection with everyone and to please them.  For example, when Laertes asks Polonius for his blessing to go back to Paris, with no hesitation Polonius gives Laertes his approval.  Soon after Polonius sends Reynaldo to Paris to spy on Laertes and watch his every move

“Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;

And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,

What company, at what expense; and finding

By this encompassment and drift of question

That they do know my son, come you more nearer

Than your particular demands will touch it:

Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;

As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,

And in part him: ' do you mark this, Reynaldo?

(2.1.8-16)

This shows that Polonius does not trust his son Laertes, and simply gave Laertes his blessing only to give Laertes the satisfaction thus why Polonius’ character is driven by Ericssion’s out and out lie theory.  Another prime example of Polonius’ tendency to out and out lie is when he sets up Hamlet to meet with Ophelia for the benefit of Claudius “Ophelia, walk you here. Gracious, so please you, we will bestow ourselves. Read on this book, that show of such an exercise may color your loneliness.”(3.1.43-6). Polonius’ deceitful lies and sneaky behaviour lead to his demise at the hands of Hamlet.

Lastly, Hamlet along with Polonius and Claudius is also a main contributor to the theme of deception and lying in Hamlet.  Hamlet lies and deceives people in the play through Ericssion’s facades and out and out lie theory.  Hamlet deceives everyone in the play by portraying he is a mad man, but in reality he is perfectly sane

“Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,

How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,

As I, perchance, hereafter shall think meet

To put an antic disposition on,

That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,

With arms encumber'd thus, or this head-shake,

Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,

As 'Well, well, we know'; or 'We could, an if we would';

Or 'If we list to speak'; or 'There be, an if they might';

Or such ambiguous giving out, to note

That you know aught of me: this is not to do,

So grace and mercy at your most need help you.”

(4.3.187-199)

This shows that Hamlet was going to put on an antic-disposition so he could secretly plan the murder of his uncle Claudius.  This is a facade lie because he is not really going insane it is merely just an act.  After Hamlet then displays an out and out lie, when he was on the ship heading to England he found out the real meaning of his journey. Claudius had devised a plan to have him killed when he arrived in England.  Hamlet then changed his name on the letter and had Rosencrantz and Guildenstern executed instead of him

           “Hamlet: I had my father's signet in my purse,

            Which was the model of that Danish seal:

            Folded the writ up in the form of the other,

            Subscrib’d it, gave’t the impression, plac’d it

            safely,

           The changeling never known. Now, the next day

           Was our sea-flight; and what to this was sequent

           Thou know’st already.

           Horatio: So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't...

           Why, what a king is this?

           (5.2.47-55,62)

This quote shows how Hamlet used Ericssion’s out and out lie to avoid being executed in England.  In conclusion the theme of lying is an ongoing theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet which eventually leads the death of Hamlet and many other characters.

        In conclusion, due to the constant lying and deceiving in Hamlet, it creates havoc and eventually corrupts the state of Denmark.  Claudius used lying to fuel himself with more power; Hamlet used the theme of deception and lying to seek revenge on his uncle for killing Old Hamlet.  Lastly, Polonius who is fuelled by deception and lying betrays all of those around him. Also, Stephanie Ericssion’s Essay “The Way We Lie” relates to Hamlet because Shakespeare’s Hamlet is fuelled by deception and lying and her essay describes “The Way We Lie” and helps readers better understand a major theme in Hamlet. The theme of deception plays a huge role in the Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and eventually leads Claudius, Polonius, and Hamlets brutal and unnatural misfortunes.

 

 Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Champaign, Ill.: Project                   Gutenberg, 199.

Ericssion, Stephanie. "The Way We Lie." 50 Essays. Bedford St. Martins: Samuel Cohen, 2004.                                                                                                      120.