The Ultimate Disguise Essay Research Paper Deep

The Ultimate Disguise Essay, Research Paper

Deep within the scorching desert sands lurks a creature, moving cautiously into position as it readies itself for a strike upon its unsuspecting prey. The prey detects a slight disturbance in the sand, but anticipating no danger, carries on about its normal activities. Then suddenly, the comfortable silence is broken by the onset of splashing sand followed by a short struggle. Before long the quietness returns to the sandy landscape, where everything seems to be the same as it was before, except that it is not. The lurking creature, a chameleon was hungry prior to the strike, but now is quite content. In this situation, it is obvious that the chameleon killed its prey, however, what is not so obvious is how the chameleon was able to achieve that end. At first glance, the chameleon does not seem to possess a wide range of arsenals when compared with other creatures in the animal kingdom. Nonetheless, it does have one element most others do not, and that is its ability to disguise and camouflage itself in order to blend in with its surrounding environment. This characteristic is important to the survival of the chameleon as it serves a dual purpose with regard to offense (such as catching its prey) and defense (such as hiding from other predators).

Similarly, just as a chameleon alters its external appearance in order to deceive its prey, so too do certain characters in William Shakespeare.s Hamlet; namely Hamlet, Claudius, and Polonius, who disguise their appearances, using a variety of tactics to achieve a particular end. The characters in Hamlet modify their appearance by acting differently as a means of a defense mechanism as well as an offensive one. The theme in the play of Hamlet consists of many instances in which the external appearance of things appears to be true when in reality it is the opposite.

Not surprisingly, the main character of the play Hamlet becomes the master of disguise and deception. Hamlet seeks revenge against Claudius shortly after he learns of the King.s involvement in his father.s death, a .murder most foul. (Act I, Sc. 5, 27). The revenge by Hamlet will take some time to execute; therefore Hamlet must devise a plan to divert attention away from himself. He does so by pretending to act in a mad manner such that his intended subjects (i.e. Claudius, Polonius, Gertrude, and Ophelia) will be completely unsuspecting. Just like a chameleon transforming its outside appearance as the result of fear and using camouflage to evade detection by its prey; Hamlet feigns madness due to the fear of the unknown, by camouflaging his external appearance in preparation to attack his prey – Claudius. As Hamlet stated, .How strange or odd some.er I bear myself / As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on. (Act I, Sc.5, 170-172). This particular defensive strategy fabricated by Hamlet is essential in acquiring vital information presented through the interactions with other characters. Hamlet is perceived by others to be that of a mad person. However, in reality, his mad behavior is merely a disguise and a means to solve the mystery of his father.s death. Like a detective, Hamlet is able to tediously piece together the evidence of the crime. He is capable of fooling everyone, even his own mother. Queen Gertrude asserts that Hamlet is as .mad as the sea and wind when both contend. (Act IV, Sc.1, 7).

Subsequently, throughout the play, Hamlet also displays various other qualities, which are apparent in a chameleon. For instance, a chameleon is extremely slow and inactive. Likewise, Hamlet reflects a person who is slow in making important decisions because he contemplates and procrastinates constantly. In addition, he appears to be a man of inaction rather than a man of action. The longer Hamlet prolongs the mission that he has to accomplish, the more he is unable to execute it. At first glance, Hamlet appears knowledgeable; but in fact, he is a lost child who is seeking attention. The father.s death and the mother.s hasty remarriage have turned Hamlet.s world completely upside down, .an unweeded garden / That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature / Possess it merely. (Act I, Sc.2, 135-137). Furthermore, Hamlet.s soliloquy .To be, or not to be, that is the question.. (Act III, Sc.1, 56) depicts his confuse state of mind in time of crisis. As a result, the defensive mechanism of madness portrayed by Hamlet has enabled him to attain his objective. He receives overwhelming attention from Claudius, Polonous, Gertrude, Ophelia, Horatio, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. By hiding his true identity, Hamlet is able to outsmart the devilish King Claudius who believes that Hamlet has feign madness caused by Ophelia.s rejection of his love. In essence, Hamlet is seen as an ingenious, persuasive, crafty individual, who is able to devise a well-orchestrated plan in determining Claudius. reaction in the play within the play. The plan of Hamlet is flawless as gold, he is able to persuade the players in The Murder of Gonzago to reenact his father.s death. The plan of the .mouse-trap. scene in The Murder of Gonzago is used to entrap Claudius; Hamlet observes his uncle.s expression as sign of substantial proof indicating his guilt. The climactic scene of the play within the play illustrates the success of Hamlet.s defensive mechanism using madness as a means to .catch the conscience of the