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The theme of appearance as opposed to actuality is illustrated through several main characters in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Many characters in the play strike one as virtuous, noble, and just, making it difficult to discern whose actions are honorable and sincere and whose actions are not. To conceal their vicious motives and destructive actions, these characters display invalid personas of themselves. Three of the main characters that demonstrate this theme of fact versus fiction are …

…only wants to keep up the image of a kind and gentle man to look good rather than to actually be good. This is also exhibited through the false appearance Claudius portrays in front of the council. The main character, Hamlet, most vividly illustrates this theme by hiding behind his madness, whether it is real or pretend. These false impressions serve as defense for their true characters and help them acquire their evil intentions inconspicuously.