Hamlet Act 1 Scene 5 Commentary

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In Shakespear's Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5, an interaction between the supposed Ghost of Old Hamlet and Hamlet is of particular interest, especially the Ghost's monologue. In this scene, the audience is presented to the Ghost, who introduces himself as “thy father’s spirit” to Hamlet, and further reveals that he is from Purgatory in saying “Doom’d for a certain term”, purgatory being a temporary place of suffering, meant to cleanse souls of sin prior to entering Heaven. This method of introduction would have surely evoked the sympathy of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan audience. He continues by describing his current situation in purgatory, creating a sense of urgency in his speech. Further, he gives Hamlet a command: “If thou didst ever dear father love… Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”. This climax from the built up suspense from the past few scenes reveals the reality of a possible murder. Thus, Hamlet promises that he “May sweep to my revenge”, promising vengeance for his father’s murder, the murderer being the current King of Denmark who “now wears his crown”, Claudius. The description of Claudius as a serpent refers to imagery derived of the bible, referring to the original sin of the Serpent who “stung me”. The Ghost, who is all that inspires Hamlet’s respect, a warrior, King, father, thus makes Hamlet promise a burden of shame and guilt if he does not avenge him. After revealing the identity of Claudius, Hamlet acknowledges it is as he expected with his statement “O my prophetic soul!” and the Ghost further turns to another lasting suspicion of Hamlet’s, the involvement of his mother. The Ghost reports that Claudius “won to his shameful lust/ the will of my seeming virtuous queen.” He describes Claudius as giving in to his “lust”, not love, and further contrasts “virtuous” with Hamlet’s earlier speech. Yet, the Ghost doesn’t blame Gertrude and only

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