I think the ghost in Hamlet is really interesting. It makes me wonder if the ghost is really his father or if it really is real. At first I suspect that Hamlet is losing her sanity and is imagining things. After all, he loves his father so much and now he still hasn’t recovered from his death. So it is possible that he is seeing his father because that is what he wants to see. However, I remembered it was Bernardo and Marcellus who saw the ghost first. Then Horatio saw it as well. Then they told Hamlet. So there are three other people who saw the ghost first. So as far as sanity goes, I think Hamlet is still sane.
Although it is possible that all of this is just a dream. The next thing I questioned was whether the ghost really is his father
1. In this specific version of Hamlet there are various characters that demonstrate an exaggerative and dramatic persona; Brain Blessed chose to interpret the role of the ghost in the traditional eerie, spooky, and mysterious manner. He does this by being portrayed as a reoccurring pale figure that is only visible to certain people (the traditional characteristics for a ghost). Also he does this by deepening his voice to sound more frightening. In my opinion, I do not think that the performance of the apparition was believable in any scenes in which it appeared simply because I do not think that something that does not exist in reality can be displayed realistically. Moreover and in contrast, I believe
Spoken by Marcellus as he and Horatio discuss whether they should follow Hamlet and the ghost of his father in the night, Marcellus remarks on the circumstance by which they have stumbled upon. The appearance of the ghost, the supernatural, in the state of Denmark have thrown the prince and his comrades into a world they do not understand.
In Act II Scene II during Hamlets “O, what a rogue” soliloquy Hamlet goes on about how much he sucks and begins to question the ghost he has seen in Act I. Hamlet states, “The spirit I have seen/ May be the devil: and the devil hath power” (II.II.596-597). In this statement, Hamlet basically says, “Maybe the ghost of my Dad I saw was the devil.” If I were put in this situation I would have been more skeptical than Hamlet was, even though he was grieving. I wouldn’t take such rash actions of planning on murdering my uncle just because some ghost told me to do so. Be that as it may, I can understand why Hamlet would believe it is his father's ghost and can only imagine how sincerely mad that would make a person. I feel as if Hamlet and his Dad
In Hamlet written by William Shakespeare there is many emotions and feelings. Recurring themes are also found such as self loathing and pity. Throughout the story we find that Hamlet is many things and carries many different emotions. Shockingly and through it all he is depressed, but sane. Hamlet goes through lots; he loses his father, his mother marries his uncle, and he doesn’t even get to be king. Unfortunate events like these cause him to act crazy around certain characters like Claudius, Polonius, Gertrude, and Guildenstern. Around characters such as Bernardo and Horatio Hamlet is perfectly rational.
Hamlet isn’t the only one that sees the ghost or has a ghost to talk to them in the play. Laertes has times where his father who is dead comes back as a ghost to talk to him and encourage him. For
... to make choices as to how they wanted to act out those scenes. Nevertheless, the ghost is an important part of the play that will always lead to questions in the readers mind. Does the ghost cause Hamlet to go mad or is that madness within that causes the ghost to be revealed? Is it the ghost who causes Hamlet to seek revenge or the unraveling truth of Claudius’s murder? These questions may change with every generation but as some questions get answered others come forth which leads audiences to always be captivated by Hamlet.
In the first act the ghost appears to two soldiers Marcellus, and Barnardo, as well as to Hamlet’s friend Horatio, who is a very credible and intelligent person. The same ghost appeared to Hamlet several times through out the play also. These facts eliminate the chance of this ghost being a figment of people’s imagination because too many people saw the same thing. In act 1 scene 1 it is revealed that the ghost appeared twice wearing the same armor King Hamlet wore when he fought the ambitious old Fortinbras, King of Norway, and also when he defeated the Poles. Young Fortinbras is determined to get back the land his father lost. This fact brings more in depth evidence to the ghost being real. The reason the guards are there on watch is a direct relationship to an attack from Fortinbras and the ghost is wearing the armor of the event that started this whole thing.When the ghost asks Hamlet to avenge his death, he reveals a true fact involving the death of King Hamlet:Ghost. I find thee apt; and duller shouldst thou the fat weed that roots itself in ease on lethe wharf wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear. ‘tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark in by a forged process of my death rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.Hamlet. O, my prophetic soul! My uncle! (1.3. 38-48) Later in the play is revealed that Claudius murdered King Hamlet in order to achieve the crown himself. This fact proves the reality of the ghost. Claudius admits to killing King Hamlet in a prayer: "…since I am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen…"(3.3 57-59) The ghost told Hamlet about that fact before Claudias ever admits it.
Hamlet grants himself the opportunity to momentarily direct himself, yet it remains unknown as to whether he directs a representation of truth or a falsity. He exemplifies madness so well, as the sight of "a damned ghost" (77) insanely induces his imagination and comfortably transforms his identity to one of lunacy. This role he acquires is one he portrays so explicitly well as an actor that he easily utilizes it as the foundation for his players. He instructs the players:
The aspect of Hamlet that I find interesting is the appearance of the ghost that Hamlet suspects may be the ghost of his father. Hamlet does not know if the ghost is actually of his father or if it is a demon taking on his father's appearance. How will he know what decision to make if he does not know what the ghost actually is? Also, now I'm wondering if Hamlet makes the wrong decision, will his decision lead to his death? This is the second play of Shakespeare's that I have read that has the appearance of ghosts. Macbeth also had apparitions appear in it. Shakespeare seems to have a method of placing ghosts into his writings, and in Macbeth these ghosts led to the downfall of Macbeth. -Keisha McWhorter
All throughout the play Hamlet mourns the loss of his father, especially since his father is appearing to him as a ghostly figure telling him to avenge his death, and throughout the play it sets the stage and shows us how he is plotting to get back at the assassinator. Such an instance where the ghost appears to Hamlet is when Hamlet and his mother are in her bedchamber where the ghost will make his last appearance. Hamlet tells his mother to look where the ghost appears but she cannot see it because he is the only one who that has the ability to see him.
Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven, / A fault against the dead, a fault to nature,
In traditional and modern, ghost reflects death and fear, and it never change. In Hamlet, the ghost is a symbol of Hamlet’s father who is killed by Claudius. Its propose is to demand Hamlet to avenge its death. Although the ghost only appears three times in front of Hamlet, it is a specify role to develop the whole story and plot. Through Hamlet, the ghost is the motive to make Hamlet kill Claudius, and the ghost plays a critical role to influence Hamlet.
Ghosts are often characters that are a representation of revenge tragedy, especially in Shakespearean plays, such as Macbeth. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the ghost is very significant because it influences Hamlet negatively, which ultimately results in his tragedy. The ghost causes Hamlet to get revenge, realize his tragic flaw, and leads to his madness.
The appearance of the ghost to Hamlet causes him much confusion. As Dodsworth states, "Hamlet regards the Ghost as eminently 'questionable' (43), that is, 'which invites question' as Jenkins has it, but more pertinently 'uncertain, doubtful'"(Dodsworth 58). Hamlet does not know whether or not to listen to the ghost. If it is indeed the ghost of Hamlet senior Hamlet is obligated to follow his orders, "It is as he is flesh of his flesh that Hamlet is bound (by 'nature') to act on his father's behalf" (Dodsworth 59). In conclusion, the appearance of the eminently is the beginning of Hamlet's problems.
The conversation between the ghost and hamlet serves as a catalyst for Hamlet's last actions and provides us with insights into Hamlet's character. The information the ghost reveals insights Hamlet into action against a situation he is already uncomfortable with. It must be noted, that hamlet is not quick to believe the ghost. He states that maybe he saw a devil that abuses him due to his meloncaully. We are thus subjected to an aspect of Hamlet's character. Hamlet next encounters the ghost in his mother's room. The ghost wets hamlets appetite. Hamlet is now convinced of the ghost and listens to it. The question many ask is did the ghost mislead hamlet?