An Analysis of Supernatural Elements in Hamlet's Act 1

Act and Scenes Significant Characters Point Form Outline of Action in the Scene What is Most Significant about this Scene?

Act 1 Scene 1 Barnardo

Francisco

Horatio

Marcellus -Barnardo and Francisco are guarding the castle corridor late at night (midnight).

-Horatio and Marcellus join them shortly

-The four bicker about the presence of the ghost; Barnardo, Francisco, and Marcellus believe there is a ghost, however, Horatio brushes it off

-Ghost really appears and Horatio confronts it, but as Horatio speaks to it, the ghost disappears

-Based on the appearance of the ghost, the guards claim the ghost resembles the deceased King Hamlet

-Horatio believes this is a bad omen and tells the other guards about young Fortinbras who might be attacking

Ophelia states Hamlet has been “affectionate”. Polonius warns her to be careful before she becomes looking like a fool that had been played around with. He tells her to talk to him less. The significance of this scene is to portray the characterization of the three characters. Laertes appears to be a realistic individual who is genuinely concerned about his sister; he reasonably explains that his sister must be wary of Prince Hamlet since he is a royalty. In this scene Laertes appears to be much wiser than his father, Polonius, whom is also realistic yet too blunt. Polonius also warns Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet but he says it in more direct matters (I.iii.115-135). Ophelia on the other hand remains passive and follows the two men in her family’s directions. At this point, we are unsure whether her abeyance at the end of the scene (“I shall obey, my lord” Act 1 scene 3, 136)is out of politeness or because she is actually serious, but regardless, this shows her inferior position to men. It is well known that women were considered to be properties of the head man of the family (eg. Father) and therefore Ophelia does not have a choice but to follow her father’s advices on whether she should truly believes Hamlet’s intentions or not. Overall this scene highlights the persona of the three characters in the