Hamlet+1.1

Hamlet 1.1

2. I think the signifigance of this scene is mainly as an introduction. This scene explains that the king of denmark is dead through the story of the ghost. It gives us a little bit of an introduction, but also does not give a lot away, capturing the reader's attention and curiosity. This scene serves to introduce the plot line and explain a little of the history of the story. I believe the play would lose it's interesting aspect with out this introduction. It cleverly gives a good amount of information while also raising a lot of questions.

4.When Barnardo and Marcellus speak of the ghost, Horatio says, "Tush, tush, 'twill not appear" (1.1, 35). This quotation shows a little bit of Horatio's personality. We know that Horatio, as a scholar, is considered higher in the social standards because Barnardo and Marcellus asked him to come to speak to the ghost. He is skeptical of what his friends have told him. This quotation seems a little cocky. He does not trust what Barnardo and Marcellus are saying to him and he will not believe them until he sees it for himself. After he has seen the ghost Horatio says, `"Before my God, I might not this believe / Without the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes" (1.1, 66-68). He is shocked at what he has seen. His cockiness is put down because he was wrong all along. I think he seems freaked out in awe. He does not know how to react to this apparition.

8. I think this chapter shows an ambiguos idea about death. With the "return" of King Hamlet as a ghost, the idea of death is questioned. All of the guards and Horatio are very frightened by this ghost. I think what is most feared about death is what happens. It is feared because we do not know what happens. When the guards see this ghost of their former king, I think they are almost questioning death through their fears. They are wondering if it is really their King and are wondering why he has returned.