Theme Of Deception In Hamlet

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William Shakespeare, the author of Hamlet, illustrates the theme of lies and deception by using recurring motifs to strengthen his plot. Deception causes the characters in Hamlet to act blindly through anger and emotion. The death of King Hamlet is the catalyst in the story that drives the complicated nature of revenge among the characters. Hamlet sought vengeance to preserve his honor and respect to his deceased father. Over the course of the novel, Shakespeare uses the motifs of ears and hearing, doubles, and incestuous desire, to illustrate the underlying theme of lies and deception. The motif of ears and hearing offer a concrete illustration of the theme of deception. Hamlet, an impetuous protagonist, becomes consumed with uncovering the truth behind his father’s death. Nonetheless, he discovers that conversations among characters can help uncover the truth, but can distort the factual accounts. Ironically, he spends most of the play …show more content…
The relationship between Claudius and Gertrude fall in the realms of psychological, excessive indulgences, and sexual attraction. The incestuous desire between Gertrude and Claudius hurts Hamlet deeply, since his mother remarries after two months of King Hamlet’s death. Hamlet is deceived by his mother’s quick marriage with his uncle, Claudius. He is unable to comprehend their love and questions their hasty marriage by becoming a mirror that reflects the conscience of Gertrude. He states to Gertrude, “You go not till I set you up a glass where you may see the inmost part of you.” Hamlet is fixated in Gertrude’s intimate relationship with Claudius and his preoccupation with her. Moreover, Hamlet has a strong opposition for Claudius and wants to seek revenge on Claudius for his treacherous actions. Overall, the motif of incestuous desire reveals Hamlet’s emotional suffering towards his mother,

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