Essay on Hamlet: Hamlet and William Shakespeare

Submitted By marwa2332
Words: 807
Pages: 4

Duplicity leads to downfall God has given you one face, and you make yourself another (William Shakespeare). Two faced people are known to act one way around certain people and then another way around others. They tend to present an appearance that is quite opposite in their real intention. Going against what god has given you often leads to death. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, duplicity leads to downfall. Among the play Hamlet, there are many two-faced characters that all end up dying. Characters such as Hamlet, Claudius, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern illustrate two faced figures. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can be seen as two faced figures. They are two noble friends of Hamlet, and they also attended university together. King Claudius calls them down to spy on hamlet and figure out the cause to his unordinary behaviour. As you see the only reason they came down to visit Hamlet was to spy on him. They call themselves loyal friends, but in fact when he lost his father and his mom got remarried in an instant second; he needed a friend and they were not there to support him. ‘’But we both obey, And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, To lay our service freely at your feet, To be commanded’’ (2.2.29-32) .In this quote we see that they tend to present an appearance opposite to their real intention. They act as they came to visit him but really they were just using him to get what the king wanted from them .The fact that they chose to be loyal to Claudius over Hamlet lead them to their ultimate downfall. King Claudius can also be seen as a two faced figure. Hamlet has gone through a lot when he lost his father. King Claudius his step father also uncle tries to get close with Hamlet. " And with no less nobility of love Than that which dearest father bears his son Do I impart toward you " (1.2.113-115).As seen in the quote above, Claudius immediately tries to get close with Hamlet, after all he is his stepfather . Claudius acts as if he cares for Hamlet and loves him as his own son when people such as Gertrude are around him. It may seem like Claudius loves Hamlet, but he really does not, Claudius tried to kill Hamlet multiple times. At the final duel between Hamlet and Laertes, Claudius says "Our son shall win’’ (5.2.280) and even drinks to Hamlet. In his real intention he knows Hamlet will die, as he planned his death. He portrays the image of a caring father, but in reality he wants to see Hamlet dead so he does not have to worry about losing his new wife and more importantly his title as king. Claudius tries to hide his deepest secret from the rest of the world, but Hamlet eventually finds out. His secret of Murdering King Hamlet leads him to his ultimate downfall. Polonius can be seen as many things in the play Hamlet; annoying, talkative, and sneaky. Above all Character traits he also represents that of a two faced figure .Polonius says his