In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief .
in the existence of the supernatural.
plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural is an integral part of .
the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an .
insight into character, and augments the impact of many key scenes.
The supernatural appears to the audience in many varied forms. In .
Hamlet there appears perhaps the most notable of the supernatural .
forms, the ghost. However, in Macbeth, not only does a ghost appear .
but a floating dagger, witches, and prophetic apparitions make .
appearances. The role of the supernatural is very important in Hamlet .
and Macbeth.
A ghost, appearing in the form of Hamletfather, makes .
several appearances in the play. It first appears to the watchmen, .
Marcellus and Bernardo, along with Horatio near the guardsmens' post. .
The ghost says nothing to them and is perceived with fear and .
apprehension, It harrows me with fear and wonder. It is not until .
the appearance of Hamlet that the ghost speaks, and only then after .
Horatio has expressed his fears about Hamlet following it, What if it .
tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the .
cliff. .
The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet serves as a .
catalyst for Hamletlater actions and provides insight into Hamlet.
character. The information the ghost reveals incites Hamlet into .
action against a situation he was already uncomfortable with, and now .
even more so. Hamlet is not quick to believe the ghost, The spirit .
that I have seen may be a devil. and perhaps out of my weakness and .
my melancholy.abuses me to damn me, and thus an aspect of Hamlet.
character is revealed. Hamlet, having no suspicion of the ghost after .
the production by the players, encounters the ghost next in his .
motherroom. In this scene the ghost makes an appearance to whet .
Hamletalmost blunted purpose. Hamlet is now convinced of the .
