Prince Hamlet and the ghost first meet each other in Act One Scene Four, when Hamlet decides to follow the ghost. Then in Act One Scene 5, Prince Hamlet and the ghostly figure start to speak to each other when Hamlet asks ‘’ Whither wilt thou lead me? Speak! I'll go no further’’; then a conversation of contradiction and emotion starts. The ghost quotes ‘’ I am thy father's spirit, Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night’’; as he is explaining that he actually is his father’s spirit and he is doomed for a certain time. The ghosts speech becomes emotional when he states ‘’But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! If thou didst ever thy dear father love—‘’, Hamlet replies ‘’O God!’’ which highlights that Hamlet is feeling pain and sympathetic for his father. Shakespeare does this also to create an effect on the audience, as Hamlets emotions will also be felt to others. We also learn that Claudius committed the murder, and the Kings spirit announces to Hamlet that if he loves him he should avenge his murder.
Hamlet is very content on gaining revenge, when the ghost orders Hamlet to avenge, Hamlet also then quotes ‘’ Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge’’ which reflectively emphasises that the prince is so intrigued in achieving his goal. Yet, the audience does not find any change in attitude in Hamlet as he is ready to murder and has not contrasted a little in behaviour; as he isn’t even shocked about the ghostly figure because he acts in an ordinary manner. It also generalises to the reader that Hamlet is a character of only a few emotions as his feelings do not contrast to other emotions.
Throughout Act One Scene Five, Hamlet and the spirit seem to bond together because of their hatred for Hamlets uncle who murdered the King. The spirit describes his brother as ‘’ that incestuous, that adulterate beast’’; Shakespeare uses this informative language to emphasise the rivalry and hate between the King and his brother. The spirit of the King then continues ‘’ upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, with juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour the leperous distilment’’; he explains that his brother poured poisonous hebenon in his ear whilst he was asleep. This can give the audience a sense of unhappiness and fury over what has happened- as the audience will have different feelings for each character.
Their conversation ends with the spirit reminding Hamlet to pursue revenge of his death, the spirit also quotes ‘’Against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven, And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge to prick and sting her’’; which rationalises that Hamlet should seek revenge on Claudius but leave his mother to face punishment in the afterlife. The ghost then leaves and the audience sees a soliloquy of Hamlet which Shakespeare uses as a dramatic device which gives the audience knowledge and information about Hamlet personality in a far deeper perspective; more characteristics are conveyed to us about Hamlet. He lectures ‘’ I have sworn.’’ which highlights that he has sworn an oath and that he will gain revenge for his father.
Therefore, I can now conclude that Hamlet and his father’s spirit have a very strong relationship and bonded closely through this scene. The spirit orders Hamlet to avenge his murder, Hamlet then promises that he will kill Claudius to prove his love for his father. Shakespeare uses many instrumental devices and language to emphasise their hate for Claudius and to describe their next plans of action. Again, the audience will have different interpretations of what is to come and will feel sympathetic over the kings death.
