ghost scene

The Ghost Scene

·         In Act 1, scene 5

·         Ghost of his father tells Hamlet that he was murdered by poison poured into his ear by Claudius

·         The Ghost tells him to avenge Claudius and leave the judgment of his mother to heaven

·         The ghost criticizes Claudius through listing.  Hamlet labels him as an “adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, o wicked wit and gifts, that have the power so to seduce!”

·         The ghost doubts the queens self morals and dignity

·         Using the words “O” and “Ay” emphasizes the extreme emotions (sorrowful and angry) of the ghost

·         The ghost contrasts his “natural gifts” to that of Claudius’ – The King was seen to be more loyal

·         Juxtaposition:

o   “Though lewdness (bad comings) court it in a shape of heaven”

§  Meaning/purpose: the ghost claims to Hamlet that his fathers murder was an unjust debt

·         The Ghost denounces his queen in bitter terms, as she left his bed to “prey on garbage.”

o   Garbage is a metaphor for Claudius’ personality/behavior

·         From lines 65-87, the Ghost explains the story of the Kings death

·         Figurative imagery: “I scent the morning air”  - setting the scene with an innocent and pure mood

·         Juxtaposition:

o   “Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole”

§  Meaning/purpose: highlights the dreadful act of Claudius, he disturbed the Kings peace

·         Simile:

o   “That swift as quicksilver through the natural gates and alleys of the body” demonstrates that the poison rapidly killed the King

o   “And curd, like eager (acid) droppings into milk” means that the impure (eager) affected the King (pure - curd) – this quote is also a metaphor

·         Figurative Imagery:

o   “Instant tetter barked about”- refers to immediate blisters that appeared on the Kings skin from the poison

·          The Ghost lists his dispositions…“of life, of crown, of queen”

o   This was done to portray the extent of the Kings losses because of his death

·         The line with all my imperfections on my head” signifies that the Ghost is no longer superior

·         The repetition of “O horrible” stresses the Ghosts feelings towards his own death