ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Marcellus is a guard at Elsinore, Barnardo’s companion on the midnight round. With him, he witnesses the apparition of the ghost. He convinces Horatio to join them for the watch on the third night. He knows more about ghosts than Barnardo, and known to Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-2: -Marcellus, Barnardo and Francisco Marcellus, Bernardo (or Barnardo) and Francisco are sentries at Elsinore. Francisco gives up his watch to Bernardo in the opening of the play, and it is Bernardo and Marcellus, who first alert Horatio to the appearance of King Hamlet’s Ghost.

Detailed explanation-3: -Marcellus and Bernardo have seen a ghost on the castle battlements for the past two nights. Horatio comes to investigate and Marcellus informs the other guards that Horatio has said ‘’tis but our fantasy, / And will not let belief take hold of him’.

Detailed explanation-4: -Francisco and others have been assigned to guard the palace because they are protecting the castle from Norway. If Elsinore did not have a guard, someone from Norway(Fortinbras Jr.)

Detailed explanation-5: -The scene opens with the changing of the guard outside Elsinore, the royal residence and court of the King of Denmark. Francisco is on guard, but is very happy to relieved by Bernardo and Marcellus. All three guards discuss the ghost that they have seen on previous nights.