Hamlet

Hamlet is a narrative of murder and revenge of the king killed by his own brother, who

then marries the dead king’s widow. The prince must pretend to be mad in order to save

his own life and revenge his father’s death.

Hamlet meets with Horatio, Barnardo and Marcellus on the platform of Elsinore

to see if what he was told is true about the ghost. The ghost does appear and signals to

Hamlet to go away with him. The ghost tells Hamlet to pat attention to me (1.5.3). The

ghost tells Hamlet that he is the spirit of his father and of the crime done unto him which

was strange and unnatural murder (1.5.14, 17 and 34). Hamlet was also told that will he

was sleeping in his orchard a serpent scared him and poured poison in his ear, and the

serpent that did this now wear the crown (1.5.42-43, 46-47, and 67-84). Hamlet’s father

spirit orders him to revenge his death and does not want him to do anything to his mother,

leave her for the heavens and before he goes he tells Hamlet goodbye and to remember

him (1.5.31.92-95, 98). Hamlet can not be sure of what the ghost tells him, due to the fact

that he may be hallucinating. The ghost may have been and instrument of torment sent to

take advantage of melancholy. Hamlet is doubtful at time of his father’s spirit (3.1.85-

90)

Hamlet also feels that the ghost may be the devil (2.2.627-632).