The Play Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most well known works. It tells the story of Prince Hamlet, who must come to terms with and find the truth behind his recently deceased father's death. Throughout the play, there is a constant theme of appearance versus reality and the difference between what seems to be and what is. This theme of appearance versus reality can be demonstrated through Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildentern, and King Claudius.

Polonius, the trusted councillor to the king, appears to be a good man, and a trusting and caring father, to both Laertes and Ophelia. To Laertes upon his preparation to leave for college, Polonius gives his blessing:

To thine own self be true,

And it must follow as the night the day

Thogh canst not the false to any man.

Farewell, my blessing season this in thee.

(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, sc III...