Hamlet #1

1. Interest is created in the opening scene by bringing in a ghost. The ghost is of Hamlet's father.
2. We are given that a ghost has been appearing, he looks just like the dead king, he is dressed in armour as if ready for war, and he is not answering any of their questions. We are also given some background information on the death of Fortinbras and why his son seeks revenge.
3. To keep the author's interest Shakespeare makes the ghost return for a second time. Marcellus then tries to strike him with his partisan to get him to stay. The ghost offended then disappears again.
4. The mood is uncanny and dark. Not only are there guards stationed because they are preparing for a war..but a ghost comes as well.
5. The sentries are apprehensive for two reasons. First, they have a feeling that the ghost means bad news for their country. Second, it's not just any ghost. The ghost is said to look just like their king. The ghost is in the exact same armor that the king wore when fighting the king of Norway.
6. Horatio thinks the late kings ghost appeared to perhaps warn them of their countries fate or to tell them of some buried treasure.
7. The character's present in this scene are Barnardo, Francisco, Marcellus, Horatio, and the Ghost.
8. Horatio says that the former king was a great rival of King Fortinbras.
9. Young Fortinbras is King Fortinbras's son. He is the prince of Norway. He wants to avenge his father's honor by attacking Denmark.
10. He says that corpses rose out of the graves and walked the streets speaking gibberish, that shooting stars left a trail of blood, and that the moon was almost totally eclipsed it almost went completely out.
11. Horatio is educated. He is a scholar.
12. Horatio is present to give us background history and set up the story.
13. There has been an ongoing feud between Denmark and Norway. The king of Denmark is dead and is now appearing as a ghost.