Question

The Ghost describes his murder twice. Find both places and mark them in the text. What does he include in the second description that he leaves out in the first? Why do you suppose Shakespeare has the Ghost describe the murder twice? What impact might the double description have on the audience?

Answer 1

After reading the passages where the Ghost describes his murder in "Hamlet," we can say the following:

• The Ghost describes the way he was murdered in Act 1, Scene 5. At first, all he says is that he was poisoned by his brother, Claudius. But, the second time he talks about it, he describes it in more detail.

• The Ghost tells his son, Hamlet, that Claudius poured poison into his ear. But, once he was dead, everyone was told that he had been bitten by a snake. In the second description, he adds information about the way Claudius approached him and about how the poison acts in the body.

• Perhaps Shakespeare intended the double description to make the audience gasp in surprise and fear. The second time, especially, is quite detailed, which can immerse the audience in the scene. We imagine the quiet, innocent king asleep, clueless that he is about to be murdered.

What happens in "Hamlet"?

• King Hamlet is killed by his brother Claudius. His Ghost appears, asking for revenge. He tells the details of his murder to his son, Hamlet, who begins to act as if he were crazy to justify his strange behavior and vengeful intentions.

• However, Hamlet fails to avenge his father. That does not mean he does not harm others, but he does it almost by accident, even killing innocent people in the process.

Learn more about "Hamlet" here:

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