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   lit24 Teacher
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   In Act I Sc.5, the Ghost of Hamlet's father leads Hamlet away separately from his two friends Marcellus and Horatioand reveals to him in the strictest confidence how he had been murdered by his brother Claudius. The Ghost's main purpose in talking to Hamlet is to request Hamlet to revenge his murder by Claudius: "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder."

   The Ghost tells the shocked and bewildered Hamlet that he has come from Purgatory to meet him personally to reveal to him the treachery of his uncle Claudius. The Ghost describes in graphic detail how Claudius poureda vial of poison into his ear when he was enjoying his customary siesta and murdered him, consequently his soul was consigned to Purgatory because he did not havethe opportunity to confess his sinsand be absolved of them.The Ghost also tells Hamlet how Claudius seduced his wife, that is his mother, and after his death how he married her. The Ghost sums up his tragedy in the following lines:

   "Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand
   Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd."

   
   The Ghost hurriedly makes its exit because of the approaching dawn telling Hamlet never to forget all that it had just told him: "Adieu, adieu! Hamlet, remember me."

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   Posted by lit24 on Saturday May 30, 2009 at 1:22 AM