Hamlet Group
Question:
Answers:
-
mrs-campbell Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by mrs-campbell on Sunday July 5, 2009 at 6:54 PMFirst of all, it is mysterious, and anything that is mysterious holds an odd element of awe-inspiring power. It shows up a couple times to the guards before Hamlet comes onto the scene, and it just kind-of hovers without doing anything. Just enough to get the guards a bit creeped out and intrigued. Then, when Hamlet shows up, the ghost beckons Hamlet to follow him; and after a bit, speaks. And, he speaks as one who fully understands how he died. That is quite impressive and awe-inspiring. He knows who murdered him, and expresses quite eloquent and passionate feelings regarding the subject. To reveal such drastic information, and with such intensity of feeling, is very impressive to Hamlet's mind and heart; he is left feeling incensed, perplexed, disturbed and morose. Then, to top it all off, the ghost ominously hints that Hamlet and the guards need to "swear" to not reveal what has occurred and that Hamlet needs to "remember [him]."
A combination of sworn promises, drastic and revealing news of his murder, his mysterious appearance and beckonings make this ghost impressive and awe-inspiring, not only to Hamlet, but to the audience as they watch his interactions. I hope that those thoughts helped; good luck!
Sources:
-
akannan Teacher
Middle SchoolPosted by akannan on Sunday July 5, 2009 at 6:56 PMThere are several things done to make the ghost impressive and awe- inspiring. Initially, the ghost appears at either midnight or at night. This triggers in the feeling of foreboding or something extraordinary. It also signifies the notion of a presence "in the air." Appearing in the still of night helps to create an even larger and looming presence of the ghost. Additionally, the ghost appears in King Hamlet's full royal apparel, complete with sword and armor. To all that witness it, this vision is stunning confirmation of a voice beyond the grave, recognizable, and that something wrong was done to awaken this spirit. The last and final reason as to why the ghost has been made to be an impressive and awe inspiring is the fact that the apparition is Hamlet's father. There is a uniquely awe inspiring vision when a child sees a dead parent reappear. Perhaps its nature of fear and awe is because it strikes at the essence of that child: They are the offspring of someone before them. Seeing that vision is something that is naturally impressive and awe- inspiring.
-
pmiranda2857 Teacher
High School - 10th GradePosted by pmiranda2857 on Monday July 6, 2009 at 8:55 AMHamlet's reaction to the ghost gives him an impressive and aw inspiring presentation. Hamlet is stricken with fear at the thought that the ghost might not actually be his father, but might be dark forces trying to tempt Hamlet into committing evil acts.
"Throughout the tragedy, the Ghost is alternately viewed as an illusion, a portent foreshadowing danger to Denmark, a spirit returning from the grave because of a task left undone, a spirit from purgatory sent with divine permission, and a devil who assumes the form of a dead person to lure mortals to doom."
The ghost has an ambition, he desires to influence Hamlet, his son, to commit an act of revenge. So the ghost drives the behavior of the main character, Hamlet.
"The appearance of the Ghost, however, intensifies his grief, and the spirit's demand that his son remember him arrests the natural progression of Hamlet's mourning and recovery."
Sources:
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Popular Links
Top Tags in Hamlet
- Hamlet
- characters
- claudius
- themes
- Shakespeare
- ophelia
- polonius
- Ghost
- plot
- laertes
- gertrude
- quotes
- horatio
- fortinbras
- Madness
- More »
See Also:
- - For teachers, the Hamlet Lesson Plan.
- - Read the Hamlet text online.
- - Hamlet summary and study guide in the eNotes.
