The Rold of Ghosts and Spirits in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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The Role of Ghosts and Spirits in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Hannah Petro ENG 4U D. Janisse 2012 04 02 Throughout history, humans have been fascinated with death and what comes after it. Therefore, it is not uncommon that these topics appear often in literature. Shakespeare is no exception, having death and the afterlife play major roles in his plays. One of the most well known examples of this is in Hamlet, where Shakespeare has a ghost as a main character. The role of ghosts and spirits in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is to provide important information to Hamlet, to highlight key components of Hamlet’s character, and to engage and excite the audience. One of the roles of ghosts and spirits in Hamlet is to provide information and instruction vital to the plot. Without the intervention of the Ghost, there would be no story to tell. The Ghost shares the truth about it’s untimely demise to Hamlet in great detail. The Ghost begins by introducing itself and then reveals all of the details of the new King Claudius’s wicked deeds. The Ghost and its words are the original motive that fuels Hamlet’s actions. If Hamlet had not been informed about his father’s murder, he wouldn’t have sought revenge against King Claudius, acted insane and done all of the things that went along with that. Therefore, the catalyst to all of the action in the entire play is the appearance of the Ghost. Not only does the Ghost give Hamlet information, but also gives him direct instruction on many encounters. Before divulging the story of Hamlet’s father’s death, it asks him to “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (Shakespeare 1.5.25). Then, before it makes a dramatic exit, it tells him to “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be/ A couch for luxury and damned incest./ But howsomever thou pursuest this act,/ Taint not thy mind nor let thy soul

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