Deception in Hamlet

William Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, centers on a young Danish prince, Hamlet, and his quest to avenge his father's murder. The tragedy begins when an apparition of his father, King Hamlet, appears to Hamlet and tells him the details of his death. The ghost tells Hamlet that his brother, Claudius, secretly poisons him while he was sleeping. After his death, Claudius assumes the position as King and also marries King Hamlet's widow, Gertrude. Hamlet, throughout the rest of the tragedy, contemplates exactly how he should kill Claudius. At the climatic end of the tragedy, Hamlet finally kills his nemesis; however, his actions lead to his death and the death of practically every other major character in the process. The theme of deception plays a major role throughout Hamlet. Every character seems to have a plan to trick or deceive their counterparts. In fact, deception can be linked to the downfall of every major character in the play, specifically the demises of Polonius, Hamlet, and Claudius.