ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Saying he would not believe had he not seen for himself, Horatio is astounded to have seen the Ghost of King Hamlet dressed in the armor he wore when he conquered old King Fortinbras and defeated the Poles.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ghost is an integral part of the structural design of the play, initiating the theme of revenge thus initiating the tragic action. Establishing the political nature of the play, the ghost sets the scene, portraying the instability in Denmark while preparing for war with Norway.

Detailed explanation-3: -Intensely moved, Hamlet swears to remember and obey the ghost. Horatio and Marcellus arrive upon the scene and frantically ask Hamlet what has happened. Shaken and extremely agitated, he refuses to tell them, and he insists that they swear upon his sword not to reveal what they have seen.

Detailed explanation-4: -Horatio in particular sees the ghost as an ill omen boding violence and turmoil in Denmark’s future, comparing it to the supernatural omens that supposedly presaged the assassination of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome (and which Shakespeare had recently represented in Julius Caesar ).

Detailed explanation-5: -How many times does the ghost appear in Act 1, Scene 1? In Act 1 Scene 1, the ghost apepars twice, dissapearing the final time when the sun comes up. However, the watchmen also say the ghost appeared to them twice before the play began.