Discuss the contrast between Claudius's smooth facade and his crimes in Hamlet.

A good example of the contrast between Claudius's smooth
facade and his crimes is Act IV, scene iii of Hamlet in which
Claudius' double-dealing nature is immediately evident. Polonius has just been murdered.
King Claudius is alone (except for his attendants) and speaking to himself out loud in a
short speech, which doesn't really qualify as a
soliloquy.

Claudius is saying that Hamlet is "dangerous"
and must not be allowed free reign in the castle: "How dangerous is it that this man
goes loose!" Claudius is weighing the wisdom of not treading harshly against Hamlet as
he is beloved in Denmark and harsh treatment would redound against himself, Claudius. He
decides upon dissembling and appearing to "bear all smooth and even" to avoid causing a
revolt. He will send Hamlet away--to all appearances--speedily yet
gently:

This
sudden sending him away must seem
Deliberate
pause

When hamlet enters,
Claudius does an about-face, so to speak, and expresses nothing but solicitude for
Hamlet's well being. Hamlet of course replies with bitter
witticisms:

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Where is Polonius?
At
super
At super! where?
Not where he eats, but where he is eaten:
....

After pinpointing where
Polonius's body lies, Claudius dissembles and expresses great concern for Hamlet, for
his "espcial safety-- / ... as we dearly grieve / ... must send thee hence / With fiery
quickness ..."

Once Hamlet has left "For England!" Claudius
reveals his intention of having England (a metonymy for the King of England and his
lieges) kill Hamlet the moment he alights at the end of his journey--England must comply
with this demand in order to continue the treaty of peace that tribute payments have
secured with Denmark: “and thy free awe / Pays homage to
us.”

This scene shows that Cluadius's smooth facade has
behind it the heart of a man who is unethical and immoral; who is the "monster" Hamlet
declares him to be; who is manipulative; and who is an eloquent "villain." The facade
derives from the skill of appearing to be what he is not. It is thus that Claudius's
character best depicts Shakespeare's universal theme of reality versus appearances in
which Claudius's behind-the-scenes actions like his crimes of murder and usurpation are
the reality, while the facade of his kingly grace and loving devotion to his queen is
but the shadow of appearance.