The information on the historical background is brief but important to explain the setting of the play .The guards are on watch in a castle at night suggesting the possibility of invasion or war. The audience learn they are Danes “Friends to this land
And liegemen to the Dane”
The longer speech of Horatio in the middle of the scene is significant as it occurs after the disappearance of the ghost and its reappearance. In separating these two events it emphasises the reappearance. The longer speech also provides a lull in the tense, short opening lines of dialogue. Throughout the dialogue of Horatio, the audience learn of the current political situation, that King Hamlet is dead and that he won his lands after killing King Fortinbras of Norway. The audience also learn at the end of this scene that King Hamlet’s Son and heir is called Prince Hamlet and has therefore not succeeded his late father to the throne. The introduction to some of the main characters is important to the rest of the play. Although they are not always directly involved in this scene the information given about them is significant in understanding their parts.
Horatio is introduced as a scholar, his knowledge is respected by the guards, who want him to see the ghost. At first sceptical, he soon changes his mind. His sighting of the ghost makes it credible. This knowledge is revealed when he gives details about King Hamlets past, his reference to Rome and Neptune and the way in which he challenges the ghost. Horatio realises the ghost might have something to say reveal, and wants to tell Prince Hamlet out of loyalty as his friend.
“Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?”
Prince Hamlet and Fortinbras do not appear in this scene but are referred to. The audience are therefore aware that before they see Prince Hamlet in the next scene, that he is the son of a dead King and is the intended recipient of a message from him via the ghost.
“This spirit dumb to us will speak to him.”
Fortinbras is identified as a prince, seeking revenge for the death of his father, by King Hamlet.
Reference to the ghost as “The thing” is made at the beginning of the first scene and is seen soon afterwards. The ghost is silent and dressed in armour. This commands the attention of the audience who soon learn that it has a message to give to Prince Hamlet.
The atmosphere created in scene one sets the tone for the whole play the scene opens with a challenge.
“Who’s there?”
The following lines are short and questioning. This gives a feeling of uncertainty and fear. The scene is set at night it is dark and cold.
“…………Tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart”
This gives the impression of the supernatural in referring to the ghost as “the thing” it is made more mysterious. The fact that the ghost is silent and dressed in armour makes it more menacing.
The impact of the first scene is considerable. The King is dead, probably murdered. The Kings death, and his ghost, who will have full knowledge of the death of the body it once inhabited has appeared. The general mood of the play has been established. The dark, cold, silent night and the uncertainty of the men about what they have seen have created an air of tension. The initial scepticism of Horatio has been created and the audience now want to meet Prince Hamlet and learn what the ghost is going to reveal.
Alex Cleverly 11cl 850 words
