Shakespeare's Exploration of Hypocrisy in His Works

William Shakespeare, the celebrated English playwright, often explored complex themes and human nature in his works. One of the recurring elements in his plays is the exposure of contradictions and hypocrisy, both in the characters and situations he portrayed. Through intricate plots and poignant soliloquies, Shakespeare unravelled profound human truths that still resonate today.

Hamlet: The Dilemma of Action vs. Inaction

Hamlet, the titular character in Shakespeare's famous tragedy, grapples with profound moral dilemmas. His internal conflict is epitomized in the famous soliloquy, 'To be or not to be,' where he contemplates the nature of existence and the harsh realities of life. Hamlet's indecision between action and inaction illustrates the human struggle to reconcile one's ideals with reality. This soliloquy delves into the depths of human psyche, revealing the hypocrisy that can exist in impending action against moral reasoning.

The Merchant of Venice: Contradictions in Merciful Justice

In The Merchant of Venice, we see the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, in a situation that exposes hypocrisy. Shylock demands a pound of flesh from Antonio, the Christian merchant, as collateral for a loan. While the Christian characters, particularly Antonio and Portia, advocate for mercy and justice, their subsequent actions to pursue revenge against Shylock reveal a stark contradiction. Portia's impassioned speech on mercy is a well-known literary masterpiece, yet her insistence that the strict law be adhered to in this instance highlights a hypocritical stance. This contradiction adds layers to the play, illustrating the complexity of justice and mercy in society.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Society's Hypocrisy in Love and Loyalty

The character of Claudio in A Midsummer Night's Dream provides another example of hypocrisy. Claudio publicly shames Hero for alleged infidelity, exposing the societal expectations and double standards that often prevail. This situation highlights how personal behavior and societal norms can be at odds, revealing the complex nature of human relationships and the contradictions that can exist within them. Shakespeare masterfully portrays the human condition, where individuals are often hypocritical in their actions compared to their publicly espoused beliefs.

Julius Caesar: The Hypocrisy of Personal Ideals and Actions

Brutus, who is portrayed as an honorable man, participates in the assassination of Julius Caesar despite his professed desire to act in the best interest of Rome. His justification for the act reveals a conflict between personal loyalty and political duty, showcasing a form of hypocrisy in his values compared to his actions. This scene is poignant and reflective of the human condition, where individuals often act in ways that are at odds with their innermost beliefs.

Shakespeare's Absence of Self-Reflection

We may never know Shakespeare's innermost thoughts, as he left no diary or other evidence of his personal feelings. However, there are passages where the speaker in his works says something that is in direct contradiction to what Shakespeare believed. In Henry VI Part 2, we have an excellent example: "First we kill all the lawyers." This statement, made by Dick as part of the character of Jack Cade's revolutionary speech, reveals a stark contradiction.

Context of the Hypocritical Passage

The context of this dialogue speaks volumes about the complexities of human nature and societal hypocrisy. Jack Cade aims to incite a revolution in England, initiating a series of radical changes. His vision includes communal living and the elimination of social hierarchies, symbolized by the elimination of lawyers:

JACK CADE: Be brave then for your captain is brave and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hoopd pot shall have ten hoops and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king – as king I will be –

ALL: God save your majesty!

JACK CADE: I thank you good people: – there shall be no money all shall eat and drink on my score and I will apparel them all in one livery that they may agree like brothers and worship me their lord.

DICK: The first thing we do lets kill all the lawyers.

JACK CADE: Nay, that I mean to do.

While Cade's revolutionaries seek to overturn the existing order and eliminate all social hierarchies, including the legal system, this statement itself embodies a hypocritical stance. The idea of eliminating all lawyers while aiming for a communal, egalitarian society is inherently contradictory. By advocating for absolute equality and the abolition of the social structure that lawyers play a crucial role in maintaining, Jack Cade and his followers are, in essence, advocating for a system that would eradicate themselves and their means to initiate such change.

Shakespeare's use of such contradictory passages within his works serves to underscore the intricate human condition and the complexities of moral and societal norms. Through his characters, Shakespeare exposes the inherent contradictions that can exist within human behavior, reflecting on the universal struggle to reconcile one's inner beliefs with external actions.