Hamlet: Appearance Versus Reality

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Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere but in
reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives his
advice only to appear to be the loving caring father. The reality is he
only speaks to appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then
actually be good:

"And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!"
(Act 1, Scene 3 lines 77 - 81)

Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he sends a spy to
follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for anyone,
he gives the appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off
on his own. In reality he lies about his trust for his son by sending a
spy to watch him. His advice he gives his son is rehearsed and only said
to give the appearance of a loving father. Polonius further ...

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into his soul to find
the real reason for his actions. As the play continues the twins are asked
again by the king to go to Hamlet and try again to find the real reason for
Hamlets behavior. Hamlet insults them at every chance knowing they are
lying to him about their purpose of the visit:

“’Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with
your fingers and thumb, give it breath with your mouth,”
(Act 3, Scene 2 lines 348 & 349)

As the melodrama continues Hamlet goes with the twins to reclaim money that
another state owes Denmark. Hamlet is sent by the king to retrieve the
assets. In actuality Hamlet is sent off to wither because the king,
Claudius knows that Hamlet knows too ...

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