Comparison Between The Ghost And Hamlet

The Ghost and Hamlet

The Ghost of Hamlet perhaps provides Hamlet the most legitimate temptation of the three tragic heroes, for the Ghost tempts him to, “revenge his foul and most unnatural death” (Hamlet 1.5.31). Marvin Rosenberg, author of The Masks of Hamlet, writes that the objective of the Ghost in this scene is to “unburden his soul to his son, move him to revenge and purge Denmark of its stain…[The Ghost’s] purpose, as part of the scene’s design, is to accumulate his wrongs up to his final [temptation for Hamlet]…[the] command to revenge” (Rosenberg, The Masks of Hamlet).

In the heat of the moment, Hamlet vows to avenge the Ghost much to the Ghost’s approval, for in Gregory Doran’s adaptation the Ghost smiles and tell Hamlet,

This quality is shown in actor Jon Finch’s facial expressions and actions in Roman Polanski’s adaptation. Macbeth’s murders of Duncan and Banquo were an attempt to secure the throne for himself and his descendants. Macbeth is also very prideful, unleashing his pride when he learns from the apparitions of the Witches that he will never be harmed by woman born and that he will, “never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him” (Macbeth 4.1.106-7). Polanski has Macbeth’s voice echo as he replies, “Who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earthbound root? Sweet bodements good” (Macbeth

“But I’ll make assurance double sure and tale the bond of fate. Thou [Macduff] shalt not live” (Macbeth 4.1.94-5). For Macbeth knows that the Witches have told some truth, so he should be weary of Macduff.

Macduff, on the other hand, shows qualities of humility and temperance. Ross even comments that Macduff is “noble, wise, judicious, and best knows the fits of th’ season” (Macbeth 4.2.19-20). But Macduff also has some vices of his own. He flees Scotland out of feat of Macbeth. When he learns of the ambush on his castle of Fife and the fate of his family line, Macduff realizes his mistake. “Sinful Macduff, they were all struck for thee” (Macbeth 4.3.265)!

Malcom recognizes Macduff’s need for revenge against Macbeth, and quickly suggests that Macduff take action. Though he has every right to unleash his wrath against Macbeth, Macduff still has a relevantly cool head. “I must feel [revenge] like a man” (Macbeth