In Hamlet are all the characters putting on an act?

Question

even horatio, laertes, ophelia? does that mean that none of them follow Polonius's advice "to thine own self be true"?

Answer 1

This is a very deep question that could be answered in a number of ways.

I choose, however, to answer it thusly:

We are all acting. All the time. Even to ourselves. Our behavior is forever coloured by the image that we want to portray. This is true in Hamlet as it is true in life.

All of the characters put on an act of one form or another. Claudius plays the role of the king, the husband. He tries to play the role of father to Hamlet, even if it is not accepted. Gertrude tries to play the role of wife. She acts as if she was loyal to Hamlet's father, even while she betrayed him. Ophelia must play the role of the submissive female: it is, sadly, a role all women of Shakespear's day had to play to one extent or another.

Note Hamlet's Line: 'All the world's a stage and we are merely players. . . .'

As for Polonius's advice: "to thine own self be true" . . . . . . it begs the question of what is one's true self. Is there a true self?

(And please remember, Polonius is portrayed by Shakespeare as a buffoon. Do not assume that Shakespeare believes in them. If they were Shakepseare's true opinions, he most likely would have given them to a character that was positively portrayed. At most, Shakespeare is comically noting that these were the words of advice given by ALL fathers to their children.)

Answer 2

of course they are putting on an act... it is called acting for a reason....

sorry, the way you worded the initial question... i couldn't resist...