Hamlet - Ghost

A detailed Summary of Hamlet - Ghost


The presence of the apparition in the opening scene of William Shakespeare's

Hamlet sets a macabre and eerie tone while emitting and foreshadowing a

theme of death. In addition to the death theme the presence of the ghost

illuminates on the mystery surrounding the death of Hamlet's father, the King of Denmark. Often in literature the presence of a ghost indicates something left unresolved. In this case, the death of Hamlets father is the unresolved event as well the revenge necessary to give the tormented soul repose. The ghost created mystery for the audience, spawns the chain of death and treachery in Denmark, causes characters to question the death of their former king, and

makes the metaphysics of the play dark. The ghost says nothing despite the valiant efforts on the parts of Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo. Suspense is created when the audience is ignorant as to the purpose of the ghost. Later in the play the ghost is utilized to allow Hamlet and the audience knowledge of the vile murder of the king by Claudius, the kings own brother. When the ghost finally speaks, he tells Hamlet,

"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.

Murder most foul, as in the best it is,


Shakespeare keeping the play very serious, just as a tragedy should be. In the

In this quote Horatio is asking: Is there anything that I can do for you to help

Horatio "It is a nipping and eagar air"(I.iv.2)

Shakespeare's play into the masterpiece that it is.

"The papists in former times have publicly both taught and written that

The bitter coldness is yet another illustration of the mood of the play. A second example of the bitter coldness occurs in conversation between Hamlet and

As needful in our loves, fitting our duty"(I.i.170-173)



Some common words found in the essay are:
Hamlet Revenge, Hamlet Denmark's, King Denmark, Unto Hamlet, Horatio Hamlet, Fortinbras Norway, Bernardo Suspense, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Marcellus Horatio, Horatio Bernardo, former king, hamlet audience, king denmark, marcellus horatio, play ghost, bitter coldness, hamlet's father, presence ghost, denmark causes, foul unnatural,

Approximate Word count = 972
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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