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Summary Of The Ghost Of Hamlet

Decent Essays

Scene I
On a cold night, Bernardo is on night watch at the palace. He is joined by Horatio and Marcellus. Bernardo and Marcellus have seen a ghost the previous night. The ghost was the former king of Denmark, Old Hamlet, fully adorned in his armor. Horatio is a scholar who can confirm the appearance of the ghost. Horatio is skeptical that the ghost will appear, yet when the ghost does, Bernardo and Marcellus urge Horatio to speak to the figure. Horatio refuses, and the ghost suddenly disappears. Horatio then provides the two guards and the audience/readers with the political background between Denmark and Norway. Denmark is preparing for a potential invasion from Prince Fortinbras of Norway. Hamlet’s father killed Fortinbras’ father many years ago, and now that Old Hamlet has died, Fortinbras may attack to claim Denmark as his own. The ghost reappears, and Horatio speaks to him this time. Initially, the ghost stays silent. Bernardo and Marcellus attempt to overtake the ghost, yet their spears are only striking air. Old Hamlet is about to speak to Horatio until a rooster’s crow scares the ghost away. Horatio decides he must tell Hamlet, Old Hamlet’s son, about the ghost. Scene II
This scene takes place in Claudius’ and Gertrude’s royal court. Gertrude is Old Hamlet’s widow, and Claudius is Old Hamlet’s brother. The wedding of Claudius and Gertrude has just taken place. Claudius expresses to the court that he is still grief-stricken by his brother’s death, yet he is

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