ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The ghost tells Hamlet that his father was murdered by Claudius, the King’s brother, who then took the throne and married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. The ghost encourages Hamlet to avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Ghost appears to Hamlet, claiming indeed to be the ghost of his father. He tells Hamlet about how Claudius, the current King and Hamlet’s uncle, murdered him, and Hamlet swears vengeance for his father.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although Hamlet, the main character, contemplates revenging his father’s murder, he considers the tragedy that will result from his actions and therefore, he tries to rescind his decision. Shakespeare portrays Hamlet as unwilling to revenge.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hamlet delays killing Claudius because Claudius represents Hamlet’s innermost desires to sleep with his mother Gertrude. And by killing Claudius, Hamlet would be killing a part of himself.