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How Does Hamlet Encounter With His Father's Ghost

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In Act I, Scene V, Hamlet’s encounter with his father’s ghost establishes the theme of revenge. King Hamlet’s ghost appears and states that, “If thou didst ever thy dear father love—revenge his foul and most unnatural murder… the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown”. After encountering his father’s ghost, Hamlet agrees to seek revenge, but is hesitant when given the opportunity. However, his father’s ghost returns in Act III, Scene IV and states, “do not forget. This visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose,” in order to remind him of his responsibility to get revenge. After the second encounter with his father’s ghost, Hamlet reaches a turning point in Act IV, Scene IV and states, “…which is not tomb enough and continent to hide the stain? O, from this time forth my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!”. In Act V, Scene II, Hamlet finally achieves revenge for his father by piercing Claudius with his dagger and forcing him to drink the poisoned wine. Although he is reluctant at first, Hamlet’s encounters with his father’s ghost eventually drives him to get revenge …show more content…

After encountering his father’s ghost, Hamlet states, “how strange or odd some’er I bear myself as I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition”. Hamlet clearly states that he is going to pretend to be a madman. However, Hamlet’s statement that, “… the spirit that I have seen may be the devil, and the devil hath power t’ assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps, out of my weakness and my melancholy, as he is very potent with such spirits, abuses me to damn me,” and the fact that he is the only one that can hear and speak to his father’s ghost may suggest to the reader that perhaps Hamlet is truly mad. Despite of whether Hamlet is truly mad or not, his encounter with his father’s ghost clearly introduces the theme of madness into the

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