Essay On The Ghost In Act 1 Scene 1

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In Act I Scene I, there was a lot of uncertainty pertaining to the ghost and why he is showing up. Bernardo and Marcellus, watchmen, are uncertain of what the mysterious “thing” is that’s appeared for the last two nights. They bring Horatio to watch with them, but Horatio thinks that the guards are imagining it. There is a mixture between preparation and surprise when the ghost appears. The reader knows that there is something unexplained wandering in the night by listening to the watchmen. However, one can sense the surprise when the ghost shows up as they all agree that it looks like the recently decease King of Denmark. The reader learns that Denmark is preparing for war with Norway. Therefore, Horatio believes that the ghost could signify that Denmark is going to lose the battle with Norway (1.1.158-162). He believes the ghost’s presence could be a bad omen. The speeches introduce a note of hope as Marcellus explains that the ghost left as the cock crowed and when the cock crows, spirits do not stir. Horatio and Marcellus believe that the spirit will speak to Hamlet if it is his father so they decide to get Hamlet to try to speak to the ghost to see what it is trying to tell them (1.2.163-170). In Act I, Scene II, Hamlet is thinking about committing suicide but is uncertain if there is a heaven or hell. He believes that killing himself would be a disgrace to religion, but if there is no God then suicide would allow him to be in peace without worry (1.2.129-159). In Act I, scene IV uncertainty comes up again when Hamlet decides that speaking with the ghost cannot harm him because he does not care if he is alive (1.4.64-68).

Act 2: # 6
In (2.2.482-520), Hamlet rebukes himself for not taking action to retaliate his father’s ...

... middle of paper ...

... Horatio not to die so that he could tell everyone the truth about him. Forinbras and Laertes were both the complete opposite of Hamlet (5.2.312-14). Forinbras proved his strength throughout the play and ended up winning. He wanted to reclaim the land that was taken from his father, the former king of Norway. He immediately started constructing an army. In Act IV, Scene IV Hamlet passes the armies of Fortinbras and realizes that he should be more like Fortinbras. Hamlet plans on carrying out his revenge without any further delay. Laertes wants revenge against Hamlet for killing his father. He immediately returns from France to revenge his father’s death by storming the palace and then asking questions. Hamlet realizes that Laertes is the spitting image of himself. He recognizes the want for revenge and the pain, which he himself feels for his father’s death.

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