Appearance vs. Reality

Appearance vs. reality plays a big role in Shakespeare's Hamlet. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is trying to express his pain and sorrow because of his father's death to his mother, but she does not seem to believe him; "Why seems it so particular with thee? Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not "seems."...solemn black...shapes of grief...a man might play..." (I.ii.75-84). This conversation between the Queen and Hamlet directly illustrates the theme of appearance vs. reality because it shows the Queen's doubt of Hamlet's "depression," and Hamlet's frustration with his mother's inability to believe him. Hamlet is actually sad and trying to confront his mother, but King Claudius, once again, tries to make Hamlet move on from his grief and forget about it all. Hamlet's use of "seem" and "play" represents how he presents himself vs. how he really is/feels.