Hamlet (William Shakespeare): The Ghost Episode
Ghost or supernatural element plays an important role in Shakespearean tragedies. Shakespeare has introduced ghosts and witches,as in Macbeth, which have supernatural power and knowledge.
In Hamlet, the supernatural element appears in the form of the ghost. The first act is a little play in itself, and the ghost is the hero of it. The ghost in Hamlet has at least three-fold dramatic significance.
Firstly, Shakespeare has introduced the supernatural element in order to create an atmosphere of mystery, horror and suspense. It reflects an atmosphere of awe through which the tragedy becomes more impressive. Horatio does not believe in the ghost but its appearance “harrows him with fear and wonder”. The introduction of the late king’s ghost creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere which is the forewarning that something unnatural deeds are either to take place, or to be disclosed. Hamlet himself exclaims with wonder:
“My father’s spirit in arms! All is not well/I doubt some foul play”,
Secondly, the ghost provides motives to the entire action of the play. The ghost makes the shocking revelation(উদ্ঘাটন) of its murder to Hamlet. The ghost unfolds (Reveal,disclose) the secret that Claudius has killed the king to usurp(অন্যায়রূপে অধিকার করা or দখল করা) his throne and seduce the queen. It further imposes upon Hamlet the entrusted task of avenging his father’s murder.
Thirdly, the presence of ghost in “Hamlet” has a moral significance also. The play shows that we cannot conceal the truth for a long time. It must appear and “murder speaks with most miraculous organ”. The ghost, we feel, is a representative of that hidden and ultimate power in the universe; it is a messenger of the divine justice. Hamlet’s mind is assailed with doubt whether or not this apparition is a demon sent from hell. To verify the truth of the ghost’s statement, Hamlet first feigns madness, and then gets enacted mousetrap to “catch the conscience of the king”. But after Hamlet has tricked the king into a show of remorse, he would “take the ghost’s word for a thousand pound”.
About the nature of the ghost, there exists a controversy; some critics are of the view that the ghost is a subjective phenomenon – a hallucination springing from imagination. Other believe that it is an objective phenomenon. Whatever it is, the presentation of the ghost in Hamlet is an artistic triumph. Without it there would have been no tragic suspense or curiosity, no suitable atmosphere and consequently no interest.
In Hamlet, the supernatural element appears in the form of the ghost. The first act is a little play in itself, and the ghost is the hero of it. The ghost in Hamlet has at least three-fold dramatic significance.
Firstly, Shakespeare has introduced the supernatural element in order to create an atmosphere of mystery, horror and suspense. It reflects an atmosphere of awe through which the tragedy becomes more impressive. Horatio does not believe in the ghost but its appearance “harrows him with fear and wonder”. The introduction of the late king’s ghost creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere which is the forewarning that something unnatural deeds are either to take place, or to be disclosed. Hamlet himself exclaims with wonder:
“My father’s spirit in arms! All is not well/I doubt some foul play”,
Secondly, the ghost provides motives to the entire action of the play. The ghost makes the shocking revelation(উদ্ঘাটন) of its murder to Hamlet. The ghost unfolds (Reveal,disclose) the secret that Claudius has killed the king to usurp(অন্যায়রূপে অধিকার করা or দখল করা) his throne and seduce the queen. It further imposes upon Hamlet the entrusted task of avenging his father’s murder.
Thirdly, the presence of ghost in “Hamlet” has a moral significance also. The play shows that we cannot conceal the truth for a long time. It must appear and “murder speaks with most miraculous organ”. The ghost, we feel, is a representative of that hidden and ultimate power in the universe; it is a messenger of the divine justice. Hamlet’s mind is assailed with doubt whether or not this apparition is a demon sent from hell. To verify the truth of the ghost’s statement, Hamlet first feigns madness, and then gets enacted mousetrap to “catch the conscience of the king”. But after Hamlet has tricked the king into a show of remorse, he would “take the ghost’s word for a thousand pound”.
About the nature of the ghost, there exists a controversy; some critics are of the view that the ghost is a subjective phenomenon – a hallucination springing from imagination. Other believe that it is an objective phenomenon. Whatever it is, the presentation of the ghost in Hamlet is an artistic triumph. Without it there would have been no tragic suspense or curiosity, no suitable atmosphere and consequently no interest.
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