Appearance vs. Reality Essay

Reality and manners, or if you prefer, being and acting, argon important makeups for twain Machiavelli and Shakespe be. Why? How do their perspectives on this subject agree or take issue?One of the most fundamental questions in philosophy is the bulge outance vs. reality. We go by an eye on ourselves as fagot the question of what is genuinely real, and what is impressi championd merely as on the button an appearance, and non real? It becomes difficult when we assume there is a difference in the two to determine which is which. Generally, what we label as real is regarded as extraneous and eternal. What we refer to as just an appearance is regarded as temporary and internal. many an(prenominal) early as well as modern day authors utilisation the antecedent of appearance vs. reality to portray a character in a certain way. One of the most appreciated one of these authors is William Shakespeare. The theme of Appearance vs. Reality is extremely noted in Williams Shakespeares crossroads. Also, the Italian political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli is the other one who examines the issues of reality and appearance.Similarly, William Shakespeare and Machiavelli secern us about princes. Shakespeares shirk crossroads throw out be summarized as a young princes journey in deportment to discover the truth of his spawns death. Machiavellis The Prince is a mannequin of training guide for leaders, or in other words it is a kind of description of what a leader should do in company to effectively lead his country. The common subject of these works is reality vs. appearance therefore in this paper the theme of appearance vs. reality entrust be explored by closely analyzing both of these texts of Machiavelli and Shakespeare. Additionally their perspectives will be compared and contrasted in order to understand that whether they have the same point of view or not.Throughout the Shakespeares black market Hamlet, the deceitfulness of several(prenominal)(prenomina l) main characters is portrayed. The most significant one of these is Claudius, who is Hamlets uncle as well as the fairys brother he deceitfully marries the recently widowed queen, and takes the tush. Many of the characters in the story are viewed as being rea newsable and innocent characters, but in realitythey are evil in their actions as well as in their languagees. in that location are really four dishonest characters that could be the perfect examples for the theme of appearance vs. reality, and they are Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and the newly crowned king Claudius.When these characters are frontmost introduced in this story, they tend to come across as being unbiased and honorable, but in reality they have many evil sides that cross-file when they play their deceitful roles a step-upst Hamlet as well as against the multitude of Denmark. Their innocent appearances become difficult obstacles for Hamlet as he struggles and essay to find the truth behind his fathers death, for he is diffident of whom he can trust. This is a question that Hamlet has on his headspring throughout the play.The events and characters within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality they are infested with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide behind a mask of falseness. From behind this mask they stage the impression of a person, who is sincere and genuine, in reality they are plagued with lies and malice. at that place appearance will make it very difficult for Hamlet to produce the truth because the characters conceal their real intentions with a mask.Polonius, the kings munificent assistant has a preoccupation with appearance he always wants to keep up the appearance of a loving and a caring person. Polonius appears wish a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. He really does an excellent profession trying to make others believe that he is a loving father who is only interested in helping his son to grow up in the rig ht way and become prosperous in life. His speeches can be described as practiceding the way the speeches of a politician would. They are blunt, well written, and directly to the point, but are never meant to be sincere. He gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, but he sends a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. Although he appears to be a confident father he does not trust his son to go away on his own. Furthermore, Polonius adds to the theme of appearance versus reality by ordering Ophelia to stop take oning Hamlet.He lies to her by telling her that Hamlet does not love her, he only lusts for her. Two of Hamlets closest friends from his childhood Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can as well be viewed as liars who become verydeceitful to Hamlet. After being asked by the king to find out what is bothering Hamlet, the two go to Hamlet pretending to see him as a friend, but are in reality just obeying the kings orders. When they ask what is troubling Hamlet, they become i nsincere, and almost sound as though they had rehearsed what it was they were going to say. Hamlet notice that the boys were told to do this and states, A dream itself is but a shadow (Hamlet 73). Hamlet then realised that his own friend were not in reality any friends at all. The king again sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to apologize for their behavior but Hamlet noticed their intentions yet again and simply insulted them. Hamlets sup represent friends greatly add to the theme of appearance vs. reality.The last character is Claudius, the brother of the dead person king, who was crowned the new king of Denmark is viewed as an honest and honorable man. As seen in a speech given by Claudius in the mien of the council in dress One Scene Two, he demonstrates his excellent ordinary speaking skills Though yet of Hamlet our dear brothers death The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe (Hamlet 33). Although Claudius seems sincere in his words, he cares so weensy about his brothers death and only cares about himself. He is just living the life that once belonged to his brother as the king of Denmark and is extremely happy to be at the head of the thrown something he had previously longed for. His speeches are given with respect for himself, his country and others. In Act One, you see that Hamlet directly insults Claudius, but the king continues to behave as if he is a loving and a caring uncle and step-father towards his nephew.In Machiavellian sense, all of these characters are using their appearances to their benefits, strategically they are using them to gain power or for their own benefits. In Niccolo Machiavellis The Prince he suggests, Everyone sees what you appear to be, few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the loftiness of the state to defend them. (Machiavelli, 58) In short, he says that the strongest leaders are the ones who are able to carefully balance appearance to his benefits. According to Machiavellis statement, Claudius starts run into as an ideal Machiavellianprince. At the beginning of the play, Claudius appears to have complete control over Elsinore, as evidenced by his imposing speech to the court Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen, The imperial jointress to this warlike state, call for we (as it were a defeated joy, With an auspicious and a dropping eye, With mirth in funeral and dirge in conjugal union, in equal scale weighing make whoopie and dole) Taken to wife(1.2 8-14)In this scene, Claudius, who has only recently taken the throne after the death of his brother, addresses some pressing issues. Seeking to create a strong early impression, Claudius uses his words very carefully. Furthermore with the words imperial jointress to this warlike state he justifies the potentially controversial union by making it appear like a benefit to the entire kingdom. The phrases which are cho sen by Claudius, mirth in funeral and dirge in marriage recall Machiavellis words, for Claudius demonstrating his ability to express whatever emotions make him find wise and just, showing that he is in take of Denmark, despite his check experience as a king.Consequently, as the play develops, Claudius loses his immovable command and composure, largely due to his concern over the potential threat posed by his stepson, Hamlet. According to Machiavelli there are ways of becoming a prince. Claudius becomes a king by killing his own brother, in Machiavellian sense he is a man who becomes a prince by some criminal and nefarious method. (Machiavelli, 28) Claudius method is presented in Machiavellis sustain and from his perspective it is not a wrong method. However, one can set about prince power by this way but not glory. (Machiavelli, 29) Therefore, Claudius has taken the throne but he was not glorious and has not glory.Actually, he is not virtuous. At the end of the play we see the gradual glint of Claudius, although he has a confident appearance and succeeds in becoming a strong leader, it is unable to heal the deep wounds in his soul. It is impossible not to feel sorry for him as he struggles with the task of balancing his external appearance with his interior thought. Therefore, Shakespeare shows his inner conflict and dilemmas. Machiavelli seems to be unaware of these facts, skin perceptiveness of regret and repentance. Claudius above every other character in the play shows how the theme of reality versus appearance is relevant to the great play written by WilliamsShakespeare, known as Hamlet.