Supernatural Elements in Hamlet

SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS / THE GHOST IN ‘HAMLET’ Belief in the supernatural and wonder at the inexplicable mysteries of death was largely shared by people during the Elizabethan age. Shakespeare makes effective use of these popular superstitions and beliefs of his time. In Hamlet, the Hamlet, the supernatural appears in the form of the Ghost.

Three-Fold Dramatic Significance he Ghost in Hamlet  has  has at least three!fold dramatic significance. It contributes to the tragic atmosphere of the play" motivates motivates the entire action of the play and finally it shows up the characters and derives home a certain moral effect.

The First Appearance he Ghost has been seen twice by two officers of the guard" #arcellus and Bernardo" before they decide to inform $oratio in the very first scene. $oratio is a scholar and he is skeptical about the existence of the ghosts. $e says ‘tis but our fantasy. Bernardo fantasy. Bernardo then begins to describe his experience of having seen the Ghost but is suddenly interrupted by the appearance appearance of the Ghost. It is the Ghost G host of the late king of %enmark but it comes clad in armor. $oratio agrees that the Ghost resembles the late king in every respect and says ‘it harrows me with fear and wonder’. $e wonder’. $e explains his experience as In what particular thought to work I know not; But, in the grass and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

o support support his views" he refers to the supernatural things that occurred before the death of &ulius 'aesar. $oratio suggests that $amlet should be informed of it. $amlet" too" believes in some calamity or evil about to befall My father’s spirit in arms! ll is not well I doubt some foul play

The Supernatural Atmosphere he first thing that a dramatist should do when introducing the supernatural supernatural is to create the necessary atmosphere" which makes it possible and plausible. Such an atmosphere is provided in the early part of the opening scene. It is a cold and dark night and there is no doubt about that the Ghost creates an atmosphere of tension and fear" and and that the actual appearance appearance of the Ghost G host on the stage would (harrow’  ( harrow’  the  the audience too (with (with fear and wonder’.

The Second Appearance Ghost makes its second appearance in the closet!scene closet!scene when $amlet is talking to his mother. But this time the Ghost is visible only to $amlet. he )ueen does not see it and finding $amlet speaking to vacancy" thinks thinks that $amlet is mad. It is possible to argue that Ghost here represents only $amlet*s own conscience urging and spurring him to revenge and scolding him for his inaction.

The Importance Of The Ghost  he main theme of the play is revenge. he motive for this theme is provided by the Ghost. he Ghost informs $amlet that 'laudius had murdered his father by pouring poison into his ear and then usurped the kingdom and seduced his mother. It further imposes upon $amlet the duty of avenging his father*s death and advises him et not the royal bed of "enmark be  couch for lu#ury and damned incest.

+ithout the prophetic greetings of the +itches" there is no Macbeth; without the initial revelation of the Ghost there is no Hamlet. shuaib,--.blogspot.com shuaib,--.wordpress.com  

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