Deception

Deception in //Hamlet// Deception is a prominent motif in Hamlet, with most of the plot revolving around acts of deception. Almost every character attempts to deceive another, and some characters are more successful than others. In terms of defining deception, I’m dealing with situations when one character attempts to manipulate another for self-serving purposes. Characters in the play have a huge variety of methods of deceiving others. Some characters use proxies who carry out their dastardly intentions, while others use their own ability. In addition, characters have several different intentions when they engage in deception, which helps further characterize them. I’m going to trace out all the major instances of deception through the acts and attempt to come to conclusions at the end of each act. ACT I  Who's there?
 * Line number || Quote and explanation if needed ||
 * (1.1.1) || **B****ernardo**

Bernardo’s opening line sets up the play with a sense of darkness and confusion. It’s the perfect opportunity for characters to deceive each other, and this ends up happening quite often. || Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death
 * (1.2.200-206) || **Claudius**

The memory be green, and that it us befitted

To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom

To be contracted in one brow of woe,

Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature **205**

That we with wisest sorrow think on him

Claudius begins his very first address to the court in the play by deceiving the entire court. He pretends to be sad about Hamlet Senior’s death, but in actuality, was responsible for it. Claudius deceives the court throughout the play, never revealing the truth. ||
 * (1.2.227-235) || Thus much the business is: we have here writ

To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,

Who, impotent and bedrid, scarcely hears

Of this his nephew's purpose, to suppress **230**

His further gait herein, in that the levies,

The lists, and full proportions are all made

Out of his subject;

Fortinbras easily deceives his poor and old Uncle (Norway). ||
 * 1.3.530-535) || But, good my brother, **530**

Do not as some ungracious pastors do,

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,

Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads

And recks not his own rede.

Ophelia is wary of Laertes and warns him about attempting to deceive her. || Marry, I will teach you! Think yourself a baby
 * 1.3.592-595) || **Polonius.**

That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,

Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly,

Polonius suspects Hamlet’s love, and is quite sure that it is deceptive. ||
 * (1.4.772-777) || 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,

A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark

Is by a forged process of my death

Rankly abus'd. But know, thou noble youth, **775**

The serpent that did sting thy father's life

Now wears his crown.

Hamlet Senior ||