In William Shakespeare's work Hamlet , Shakespeare uses the ghost of the deceased king, a character with only a brief presence, to play a significant role in the plot of the story as a whole in multiple ways. The first way Shakespeare uses the ghost of King Hamlet is by first using him to play a crucial role in the development of the characters in the play This is especially true regarding Hamlet. An example of the ghost influencing the development of the characters in the play is sending Hamlet into his descent into madness and furthering his complex character.
Shakespeare does this by having the ghost inform Hamlet of his father’s murder. Secondly,
Shakespeare uses the ghost to influence the theme of revenge and madness that develops in the play by using the ghost as a …show more content…
This becomes Hamlet’s mission throughout the course of the play and will lead to his ultimate destruction by hurting the people he loves and cares about. On the other hand the theme of madness is also present in Hamlet . Like mentioned earlier, the scene between the ghost and Hamlet also creates the origin of Hamlet’s madness which only worsens as the play goes on. In the beginning Hamlet’s madness is merely a means to an end in order to get close to his uncle and mother, but this idea becomes less clear as the play progresses. Later the ghost reinforces the theme of madness when the ghost appears in the bedroom where Hamlet is talking to Gertrude. “On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares!
His form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones, Would make them capable.” (3.4.126-28)
These lines show that Hamlet is the only one that can see the ghost despite the ghost being visible to his friends earlier. This enforces the theme of madness because this presents the idea that he is really crazy and his madness is no longer an act but a reality. The ghost’s presence creates both of these themes by revealing the truth to Hamlet and sending him on his
Shakespeare does this by having the ghost inform Hamlet of his father’s murder. Secondly,
Shakespeare uses the ghost to influence the theme of revenge and madness that develops in the play by using the ghost as a …show more content…
This becomes Hamlet’s mission throughout the course of the play and will lead to his ultimate destruction by hurting the people he loves and cares about. On the other hand the theme of madness is also present in Hamlet . Like mentioned earlier, the scene between the ghost and Hamlet also creates the origin of Hamlet’s madness which only worsens as the play goes on. In the beginning Hamlet’s madness is merely a means to an end in order to get close to his uncle and mother, but this idea becomes less clear as the play progresses. Later the ghost reinforces the theme of madness when the ghost appears in the bedroom where Hamlet is talking to Gertrude. “On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares!
His form and cause conjoin'd, preaching to stones, Would make them capable.” (3.4.126-28)
These lines show that Hamlet is the only one that can see the ghost despite the ghost being visible to his friends earlier. This enforces the theme of madness because this presents the idea that he is really crazy and his madness is no longer an act but a reality. The ghost’s presence creates both of these themes by revealing the truth to Hamlet and sending him on his