The ghost in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

The ghost in Hamlet Essay The Ghost is an essential element to the plot of Hamlet, revealing the true cause of the Kings death and establishing the need for revenge as well as confronting Hamlet with a moral dilemma, and is used by Shakespeare to open up several ideas and questions in the play. Shakespeare employs an ambiguous theme throughout the play using an antithesis of ideas which cause suspense, confusion and elusiveness. The complexity of the Ghosts character allows Shakespeare to introduce many views into the play, which can be seen through both the actions of the Ghost as well as the effect it has on Hamlet himself. Hamlet is presented with several different ideas in the play, one of them being the true purpose for revenge. There is evidence in the Ghosts emergence in Act 1 Scene 5 to suggest that he is less outraged at his own murder then he is at Gertrudes lust, for example the majority of the Ghosts speech is about the incestuous relationship between Gertrude and Claudius. The relationship between Gertrude and Claudius is described by the Ghost as shameful and it is emotive word choices such as this which Shakespeare uses to convey to the audience the impact that their relationship has had on the Ghost. Another antithesis displayed by Shakespeare is of the characters Claudius and the Ghost. The Ghost contrasts his love of dignity for Gertrude with Claudiuss witchcraft and traitorous gifts, and this comparison between the two shows Hamlets rage at Gertrude who declined upon a wretch whos natural gifts were poor To those of mine. Shakespeare also uses the comparisons between the Ghost and Claudius to reveal jealousy in the Ghosts emotions. This jealousy supplies evidence for the fact that Gertrudes lust has outraged the Ghost more than his own murder, which is reinforced when the Ghost ends his speech in reference to Gertrude, who he asks Hamlet to leave to heaven And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge To prick and sting her, revealing that he wants Gertrude to suffer for her inconstancy. Conversely, the graphic description of the murder given by the Ghost could imply that he is in fact more outraged by his own murder than at Gertrudes lust. Shakespeare describes the murder, going into detail with the effects the poison had on him, causing him to break out most lazer-like, with vile and loathsome crust over his body. Similarly to the narrative of Gertrudes lust, emotive language such as rankly abused is used to describe the murder. This has a poignant effect on Hamlet and the audience, and with the technique of listing and half lines, Shakespeare successfully portrays the Ghosts antagonism of being murdered by his brother. The effect of this dramatic description, as well as the references to Claudius as serpent that stung him, brings out a negative view of Claudius, revealing Hamlets resentment. The serpent induces connotations of the story of Adam and Eve, corrupted by the snake in the Garden of Eden. Shakespeare uses the snake imagery to present Claudius as an evil doer who has infected the state of Denmark through the murder of King Hamlet. The fact that the Ghost orders Hamlet to kill Claudius but to leave Gertrude to heaven could mean that the Ghosts anger is predominantly directed at Claudius for murdering him. Furthermore, the vivid images of the Ghosts murder can be seen as a tool used by the Ghost to persuade Hamlet to take revenge, covering up his main motive to kill Claudius for marrying Gertrude, which is an act that Hamlet may be less willing to take revenge for. Hamlets immediate reaction to the Ghosts speech may clarify what has affected the Ghost more, as he describes his mother as a most pernicious woman! before referring to his uncle as a smiling damned villain, implying that he is appalled views his mothers lust as a more awful crime than his fathers murder. The Ghost orders Hamlet to revenge his foul and most unnatural murder, immediately placing Hamlet with an enormous responsibility which is reiterated again in Act 3 Scene 4 when the Ghost reminds Hamlet that this visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. The sheer fact that the Ghost arrives in the play is evidence of Hamlet placed in a position where he must take action upon his given responsibility. This absolute compulsion upon Hamlet is highlighted when Hamlet accepts that it is his duty, vows to disregard everything but the commandment alone and promises to sweep to his revenge. The use of the word commandment introduces Hamlets moral dilemma, as he feels obliged to carry out his fathers desires for revenge. Shakespeare also uses this word to highlight what the Ghost is asking Hamlet to do, as revenge is a sin, referring to a commandment given by God. Shakespeare also uses this compulsion upon Hamlet to represent the code of manliness that Hamlet is expected to adhere to. Hamlets exemplar figure is his father, whose amour represents the strength and courage Hamlet must attain, and the act of revenge is a chance for Hamlet to prove his masculinity. By telling Hamlet to Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned incest, Shakespeare, referring to Gertrudes lust, implies a male control over females needs to be re-established. The use of imperatives in the Ghosts speech highlights the duty on Hamlet for revenge. In addition to the above, the fact that the Ghost is Hamlets fathers spirit instantly places an obligation on Hamlet to defend his fathers honour by killing his uncle in revenge. Family honour was a great responsibility at that time of the play, and as the son of the late King, revenge has become Hamlets duty. Shakespeares ambiguity and subtlety in the play deliberately leaves open the answer to the question of the Ghosts true nature. Right at the start of the play, Shakespeare gives the audience reason to question the Ghosts credibility through the cynicism of Horatio and Marcellus who try to prevent Hamlet from following the Ghost as they fear it will draw him into madness. Shakespeare reveals an uncertainty about the Ghost through Hamlet by using multiple questions and repetition. Immediately after the first meeting with the Ghost, Hamlets questions what he has seen. The repetition of Remember thee? is ironic as it will be difficult for Hamlet to forget his interaction with the Ghost, but also portrays the conflict that the Ghosts demands have brought on Hamlet, leading to his troubled state of mind. Shakespeare manages to show a strong impression of confusion from Hamlet through the use of half lines, enjambment and exclamations in his speech after the first meeting with the Ghost; Remember thee? Yes, from the table of my memory Unmixed with baser matter: yes, by heaven! . Shakespeare also uses the external appearance of the Ghost to emphasise this uncertainty, as it is described by Hamlet as having a questionable shape. Again Shakespeare employs the theme of dualism when Hamlet questions the Ghost, asking if it brings with it the airs heaven or blasts from hell and whether its intentions are wicked or charitable. By starting with a prayer as soon as Hamlet sees the Ghost, Shakespeare portrays a fearful and apprehensive character. Hamlet acknowledges that the Ghost may be a devil who abuses to damn him. Shakespeare reinforces Hamlets moral dilemma in his decision to carry out the play, from which he hopes to catch the conscience of the king. Postponing the revenge until he has confirmed that Claudius is in fact the murderer of his father also proves that Hamlet has doubts about the Ghost and its intentions. When considering the Ghost in the play as a whole, it is reasonable to take the view of the Ghost as not being Old Hamlet, but in fact a goblin damned due to the disastrous effects it has brought on Hamlets life, as well as other characters in the play, including the conflict and deaths of several characters.