The Ghost of Hamlet's father is one of the most crucial characters in the play. If not for him, Hamlet would not have been thrown into the state of distress and torment that plagued him throughout the story. Every tragedy needs an element of the supernatural, and in this tale, the Ghost brings forth the reasons for revenge. Although the Ghost only has a few lines, he tells the truths of betrayal and his death to Hamlet. Only one other person, the betrayer and murderer, knows this crucial information, so without the Ghost's appearance, Hamlet would never know of his uncle's treachery.
             The play of Hamlet takes place within the possibility that there is a higher court of values than those which operates around us... within the possibility that an act of violence can purify, within the possibility that the words of 'salvation' and 'damnation' have meaning (Edwards 71). It brings forth a gripping tale of death, betrayal, and honor. Is this story a testimonial of a higher power and a higher court than what is on Earth? That is left to the reader or spectator of this play. Everything depends on interpretation (Edwards70). The Ghost in this story could simply be a messenger sent from this higher court to relay its wishes to Hamlet or an evil spirit sent destroy Him.
             In the beginning of the play, the Ghost is seen two nights in a row by Bernardo and Marcellus. Troubled by the sight of him, they invite Horatio, who is a scholar, to see the Ghost for himself. Just as he appeared the two previous nights, the Ghost appears again, and Horatio tries to speak to him. Horatio is desperate to know its reason for coming and poses in question the three traditional explanations (Cahn 70). He asks if something good needs to be done, if the Ghost is there to warn of the Denmark's fate, or if he is there to tell of lost riches. The Ghost appears that he is going to speak when a rooster crows, warn...