Hamlet's MasksHamlet In Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, there is a prevalent and almost overwhelming theme. Throughout the play, all the characters appear as one, with one point of view and one perspective. However inside, all these characters are completely different. The theme of “This Mask,” the way all the characters portray themselves as one person on the outside and a different person on the inside, is not disguised by Shakespeare in the slightest. Claudius, the murderous king, appears to be a kind, caring and friendly person. But inside it's different. He is cold, calculating and selfish. But this could also be a question. The women in the play, Ophelia and Gertrude, both use a kind of mask to cover up what is obvious in their lives, disguising it so that they can continue to live as if their existence is free of cruelty. And finally, behind his madness, real or fake, lies Hamlet, an indecisive and spiteful person. The masks in this play are not just a theme; they are the entire basis of it. The theme of the mask develops throughout the play as various characters try to cover their secret intentions with a veneer of another person. One of the most obvious, of course, is Claudio. Claudius killed his brother, the former king Hamlet, to become king himself. This murder, which was committed in secret, without anyone except Claudio knowing that the act was committed by him. Not only is he the king of Denmark, but he is also married to Queen Gertrude, his brother's ex-wife. These horrible and terrible crimes were not punished, and no one knows that Claudius did this. When Claudio faces someone, he has to become someone completely different. Claudio wears a mask of his own. He is no longer the selfish, cold and calculating man he really is, he becomes a kind and caring man who does his best to make sure that Gertrude stays with him, and also to be able to do his best to keep Hamlet away. trying to take the kingdom and destroy what Claudius has worked so long for. To this end Claudio wears his mask. But is Claudio really the mask or what lies beneath? This is called into question when Claudius tries to seek redemption for his sins. This scene shows that his character, like Hamlet, is not as clear as most men. Claudio struggles with his guilt asking himself: ^ÓWhere to serve mercy/ But confront the face of the offense?/ And this^Òs in prayer but