Detailed commentary between Hamlet and the Ghost
The play ’Hamlet’ was written in politically tempestuous times in London. Much importance surrounded the outward support of the monarch, Elizabeth. During her reign, religion caused divisions and factions of the Protestant church considered the theatre as sinful, amoral perhaps. In his plays, Shakespeare uses his understanding of humanity to entertain by addressing love, power, loyalty, honour and friendship. These values address unchanging aspects that touch us even today. At the time of this play, Shakespeare was experimenting and developing new theatrical techniques in an attempt to impress his audiences. ’Hamlet’, a timeless tale of murder, is intended to portray the importance of the monarchy, family dynamics, friendships and betrayals. This then is the underlying setting of the theme for ’Hamlet’ - opening on a dark winter night, creating an ethos of suspense and intrigue while providing entertainment to an otherwise deprived audience. The conversation between Hamlet and the Ghost can be interpreted and understood in many different ways. It is strongly suggested that the repercussions of this conversation will determine the revenge -tragedy that is the essence of the play ’Hamlet’.
The Ghost begins the colloquy by psychologically manipulating Hamlet into feeling sorry for him; he does so my declaring: ‘When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames,’ thus stating he does not have much time until he has to return to his Catholic purgatory, as he was not allowed to receive the obligatory sacrament before dying: ’Uhous’led, disappointed, unanel’d.’ This would provoke a religious reaction of demonising the Ghost from a predominantly Protestant audience, thus creating a degree of tension - intentionally; a manipulative technique by Shakespeare. Throughout the exchange, ostensibly, the Ghost is attempting to stimulate Hamlet’s motive for revenge on Claudius. ‘If thou didst ever thy dear father love,’ the Ghost targets Hamlet’s filial duty as a son to seek revenge on Claudius because he committed fratricide and regicide. ‘Murder most foul, as in the best it is: but this most foul, strange and unnatural,’ the Ghost further provokes Hamlet to act. Knowing that Hamlet is a procrastinator, the audience is inciting him to take action. How can the Ghost, as the repentant soul it is, ask his son to go against God’s forbiddance of revenge? -’ Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder?’ The Ghost really angers Hamlet when he mentions, ‘That incestuous, that adulterate beast:’ here is where Hamlet is hurt the most, as if adding more fuel to a fire, or rubbing salt to a wound. By use of metaphorical language,’ Prey on garbage’, the Ghost intends to compare itself to the ’Radiant angel’, Gertrude representing lust and Claudius is the ‘filth’. ‘If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not,’ this really puts Hamlet in an awkward situation; he does feel for his father and clearly wants to seek revenge, but it is clearly against his religion and nature as a person to commit murder. The Ghost’s intention - in providing such vivid detail about his death - is to stimulate and provoke action from Hamlet.
