Hamlet - Ghost :: essays research papers

Hamlet - GhostThe presence of the apparition in the opening scene of William Shakespeare&8217sHamlet sets a macabre and eerie tone epoch emitting and foreshadowing atheme of death. In addition to the death theme the presence of the signatureilluminates on the mystery surrounding the death of Hamlet&8217s 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 hearty the revenge necessary to give the tormented soul repose. The ghost created mystery for the earreach, spawns the chain of death and treachery in Denmark, causes characters to question the death of their former king, andmakes the metaphysics of the get 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,&8220Revenge his repelling and most unnatural murder.Murder most foul, as in the best it is,But this most foul, strange, and unnatural.(I.v.25-28)These quotes let Hamlet as well as the audience know that the fathers deathwas foul and unnatural contrary to popular belief. The spirit then reveals themurder to Hamlet by professing this&8220A serpent miffed me. So the whole ear of DenmarkIs by a forged process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth,The serpent that did sting thy father&8217s lifeNow wears his crown.(I.v.35-39)This statement not only reveals the culprit it eludes to the manner in which the king was assassinated. Upon hearing this Hamlet and the audience realize who the murderer is and how the plot of vengeance will unfold. Without theapparition the beginning of the play would lack the supernatural and eerie auraas well as the revelation of most vile crime thus making the play bland andmeaningless.Although the ghost is apparently Hamlet&8217s father those who saw him werefearful. The reason behind this is that in the sixteenth century a ghost could be a demon trying to deceive Hamlet rather than the soul of his murdered father. &8220The papists in former times have publicly both taught and written thatthose spirits which men sometimes see and hear be either good or bad