In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears very briefly. However, he provides the basis for the development and eventual downfall of Hamlet’s The play begins with a dismal Hamlet mourning his father’s death Recognizing this gloom, Queen Gertrude urges Hamlet to “cast thy nighted color off, andlet thine eye look like a friend on Denmark” (I, ii, 68-69). Soon after, the ghost appears,insisting, “If thou didst ever thy father love, revenge his foul and most unnatural murder”(I, v, 24-25). As Hamlet decides to scourge the past and present evils in Denmark, theghost unleashes death and malice onto the stage.The first and most obvious change which the ghost instills into Hamlet is avengeful spirit. Not only must Hamlet destroy Claudius, but he must also stop Fortinbrasfrom invading Denmark. Although less obvious, the second task can be inferred from thefact that the ghost appears wearing “the very armor he had on when he the ambitiousNorway combated” (I, i, 60-61). Hamlet spends the entire play trying to carry out theseorders, eventually causing the downfall of his spirit. Partly because he feels reserve andguilt for his task, Hamlet delays taking action throughout the play. However, thisparadoxical delay only makes Hamlet feel more guilty. He questions his self-worth andeven considers suicide, pondering, “To die -- to sleep -- no more; and by a sleep to saywe end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to” (III, i, 60-63). He cannot accept the goodness of life or destroy its evils. Because of the ghost’s words, Hamlet also becomes increasingly concerned withhis mother’s sexual relations with his uncle. In his first appearance to Hamlet, the ghostinsults his brother saying, “Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast... O wicked wit andgifts, that have the power so to seduce!--won to his s...
