Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most universally admired and
discussed works of literature in the English language. It is about Hamlet, the popular
young prince of Denmark, who returns from school because of the news of his father's
death, and finds that his uncle, Claudius, has married his mother and is now King.
Hamlet is upset by the death of his father, as well as his mother's hasty and incestuous
marriage. To add to his distress, he later finds out that his uncle actually killed his father,
and that his father's ghost wants him to avenge his death. Hamlet resolves to get his
revenge on Claudius, and then inexplicably puts it off for the rest of the play. During this
time Hamlet acts more and more insane, killing Polonius, behaving cruelly towards his
mother and Ophelia, and making dangerous enemies of Claudius and Laertes. The story
line culminates in a bloody duel scene in which Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius, and Gertrude
are killed. One of the most important scenes in the play, one that would devastate the
play's narrative if it were to be taken out, is the scene in which Hamlet is confronted by
the ghost of his father, who tells him of his gristly murder, and Hamlet's obligation to
avenge his death. (Act One, Scene Five)
At the time of the scene, the ghost has been appearing to the guards for several
nights. Bernado, Marcellus, and Horatio have seen all seen it, but it hasn't spoken to any
of them. When Horatio sees that the ghost looks exactly like the late King, he feels sure
that it will speak to Hamlet. When the ghost sees Hamlet it beacons him away from
Horatio and Marcellus. They plead with him not to go, but he refuses, so they follow
him. When the ghost finally speaks he confirms that he is Hamlet's father. He describes
the tortures he has endured in the afterlife, because he had no chance to receive the
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