Shakespeare uses Horatio’s reaction to the ghost as an impact of fear; we know this because he says “it harrows me.” This means that he is terrified, but he is also amazed. Then he goes on to say “Together with that fair and warlike form. In which the majesty of buried Denmark” referring to king Hamlet saying he looks in the form of a soldier going to war. He is also trying to order the ghost to talk bye saying “I charge thee, speak!” This is taking charge like a commander in the military. Then the ghost simply disappears.
The entrances and exits of the ghost in act one, scene one are also used to manipulate the audience and give them knowledge. This also raises dramatic tension and gives Shakespeare the opportunity to introduce a subplot of Fortinbrass of Norway and the fact that Denmark has been involved in a battle with Norway before. When Horatio then says “Such was the very armour he had on,” this gives the audience a description of the ghost but also sends out a warning to the guards. Also, “when he the ambitious Norway combated;” Horatio is saying that Norway and Denmark have been to war before, the use of the word “ambitious” tells us that Norway is after more land, and they are a threat to Denmark.
Shakespeare uses the silence of the ghost as a dramatic device because it makes both the audience and the performers, wonder why the ghost is there. Also the ghost’s use of silence makes you ask questions, such as, why is he here? Or, who is he looking for? This builds up tension and intrigues the audience. Also Elizabethans believed that the monarch was God’s appointed representative on earth and that this is the “natural order”. However, we quickly learn that Claudius has ignored the natural order by declaring himself as the king of Denmark and we later learn that Claudius has committed the most serious crime, which is regicide.
Shakespeare uses Horatio’s “scholar” status in this scene to use a historical metaphor, which also prophesises the tragedy which is yet to come. “A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, the graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,” by saying this Horatio compares the ghostly omen to that of Julius Caesar’s downfall in Ancient Rome, which was signalled by natural omens in the heavens. This allows the audience to compare the Danish royal family with Caesar’s noble family and understand that his family is doomed right from the start of act one, scene one.
Shakespeare has gone on to use the dramatic device of the cock crow three times, because on one level this signifies that dawn is breaking and that the evil atmosphere will disappear but on a more important level it is a biblical metaphor. Also this is an important part in the play because in the bible Peter denied Christ three times which ultimately lead to his death. This tells us that death is imminent and allows us to understand that Hamlet was betrayed by someone close.
At the end of act one, scene one, young Hamlet is mentioned by Horatio, “Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life, this spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.” This tells us that the ghost won’t speak to Horatio, Bernardo, Marcellus or Francisco, because he is acting dumb, but he will speak to young Hamlet. This is a significant because we know that death has been prophesised through so we can guess that Hamlet will die too.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses a combination of devices to show that the natural order has been disturbed; we understand this will lead to more deaths. Shakespeare uses natural omens, the ghost and historical and biblical metaphors to prepare the audience for the end of the play.
