Appearance versus reality in Hamlet Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, is the story of a young prince who must ascertain the truth about his father's death. Throughout the work, the fundamental theme of appearance versus reality is constant. Most of the main characters hide behind veils of lies and deceit, obscuring the truth to the point that almost nothing about them is visible. The labyrinth of deception is so twisted that only Hamlet knows the truth, and only because his father's ghost revealed it to him. Hamlet, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and King Claudius are all part of this circle of deception. Hamlet, although more genuine than the others, allows himself to be involved in deception with his feigned madness. At least in this case there is a valid justification; His every action and word is reported directly to Claudius by Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Polonius, or any number of other people loyal to Claudius. His madness is a clever method of protection; he will be left alone and free until he is considered a threat. Although he uses quite a bit of deception, Hamlet's deceit is small compared to that of Polonius, the royal attendant. Polonius is obsessed with projecting images of a trusting and generous father and above all a wise man, manipulating or deceiving anyone he can to serve his personal agenda. One way he attempts to improve his image is when he repeatedly waxes poetic and gives long speeches about life to his children. An example of this is when he gives Laertes his blessing to leave for France and ends with this idealistic advice: “This above all: be true to thyself./ And it must follow… in the middle of the paper. …. . AC Citation for British Authors: William Shakespeare: Greenhaven, 1996. Danson, Lawrence. "Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet Ed Publishers, 1986. 65-86Findlay, Alison. "Hamlet: a document in madness". New essays on Hamlet, Ed. Mark Thornton, Lisa. Parison and the Impossible Comparison." New Essays on Hamlet. Ed. Mark Thornton Burnett and John Manning. New York: AMS Press, 1994. 153-164. Rose, Mark. "Reforming the Role." Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom, New York City: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 117-128Wiggins, Martin "Hamlet in the Prince.", 1994. 209-226.