Hamlet Act 1 Scene 5 | Ghost's Revelation & Revenge | Shakespeare at Play

Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare between 1600-1601 during the Elizabethan era, performed at the Globe Theatre in 1601-1602, and published three times (1603, 1604, 1623). Set in Elsinore Castle, Denmark, the play centers on Prince Hamlet, whose father was murdered by his uncle Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother Gertrude. The Ghost of King Hamlet reveals the truth to Hamlet, who must decide whether to take revenge. Key characters include Ophelia (Polonius's daughter in love with Hamlet), Polonius (Claudius's advisor), Laertes (Polonius's son), Horatio (Hamlet's loyal friend), and Fortinbras (Prince of Norway seeking revenge for his father). Act 1 Scene 1 opens at Elsinore Castle on a cold, dark night. Francisco is on guard duty when Bernardo arrives to relieve him. Bernardo has seen a ghost for two consecutive nights and brings Horatio and Marcellus to witness it. The Ghost appears dressed in the armor of the dead King Hamlet. Horatio attempts to speak to it but the Ghost remains silent and disappears. The guards discuss the possible meaning of the Ghost's appearance, believing it may be a warning about political danger, particularly regarding Fortinbras of Norway who is preparing to attack Denmark. The guards and Horatio decide to inform Prince Hamlet about the Ghost's appearance. Act 1 Scene 2 opens with Claudius addressing the court at Elsinore Castle. He announces his brother King Hamlet's death and his marriage to Gertrude, explaining that the marriage was necessary to bring peace and stability to Denmark. He sends messengers to Norway to stop Fortinbras's attack. Hamlet criticizes Claudius for being 'a little more than kin and less than kind.' In his first soliloquy, Hamlet expresses his deep sadness over his father's death and his mother's quick remarriage to Claudius. He criticizes women, particularly his mother, for being weak and marrying so quickly after his father's death. The famous line 'Frailty, thy name is woman' expresses his frustration with female weakness. Act 1 Scene 3 takes place in Polonius's house. Laertes advises Ophelia not to take Hamlet's love too seriously, warning her that Hamlet is a prince who cannot marry her. Polonius gives Laertes advice to 'Give thy thoughts no tongue' (keep your thoughts to yourself) and to be true to himself. Polonius questions Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet and warns her that Hamlet's love is not genuine. He commands her to stay away from Hamlet, believing his intentions are not sincere. This scene reveals Polonius's controlling nature and his belief that Hamlet is using Ophelia. Act 1 Scene 4 returns to Elsinore Castle at night. The Ghost appears again to Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus. Hamlet follows the Ghost into the darkness. Marcellus warns that something is rotten in the state of Denmark. In Act 1 Scene 5, the Ghost reveals that King Hamlet was murdered by Claudius, who poured poison in his ear while he was sleeping. The Ghost explains that Claudius then married Gertrude and stole the throne. The Ghost warns Hamlet not to harm his mother and tells him to leave judgment to heaven. Hamlet vows to remember and obey the Ghost's instructions. He tells Horatio and Marcellus to keep the Ghost's appearance secret, warning that if they reveal it, he will make them mad. Hamlet decides to pretend to be mad as part of his plan to take revenge on Claudius.

In Act 1 Scene 1, King Hamlet's ghost has been sighted prowling the ramparts of Elsinore, and Horatio and several watchmen observe and speculate upon its appearance. In Scene 2, Claudius has taken his dead brother's place on the throne and married his widow Gertrude. He confirms Fortinbras's threat and dispatches an embassy to Norway. Polonius's son Laertes petitions Claudius for permission to return to school in Paris. Hamlet is later denied permission to return to his studies in Wittenberg until he has recovered from mourning his father's death. In Scene 4, Hamlet meets Horatio and Marcellus for the night watch and encounters his father's ghost, who beckons him to follow to a more private location. In Scene 5, alone with the ghost, Hamlet promises revenge after learning his father was poisoned in his sleep by Claudius.

In Act I, Scene I, two sentinels (Francisco and Barnardo) take their night watch at Elsinore Castle. When Horatio and Marcellus arrive, they discuss the cold weather and their duties. The Ghost appears, described as 'in the same figure, like the King that's dead.' Horatio recognizes it as the late King Hamlet wearing his armor. The Ghost refuses to answer questions and becomes 'offended' when challenged. The watchmen discuss Denmark's military preparations and the threat from Norway's Prince Fortinbras. Horatio references Roman history to argue that supernatural portents have historically preceded major political changes. The Ghost appears again, and Horatio attempts to communicate with it, asking about Denmark's fate and hidden treasure. When the cock crows, the Ghost 'started, like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons.' The watchmen decide to inform young Hamlet. In Act I, Scene II, King Claudius addresses the court, explaining his marriage to Queen Gertrude and the political situation with Norway. Laertes requests permission to return to France, and Polonius explains that Laertes 'wrung from me my slow leave By laboursome petition.' Hamlet responds to the King's question about his mood with 'A little more than kin, and less than kind.' The King criticizes Hamlet's prolonged mourning, calling it 'impious stubbornness' and 'unmanly grief.' Hamlet argues his grief is genuine, not just outward appearance. The King orders celebration with cannon fire, contrasting Hamlet's private grief with public political performance. In Act I, Scene II, Hamlet delivers his famous soliloquy: 'O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!' He describes the world as 'an unweeded garden That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely.' He laments his father's death and his mother's quick remarriage, calling it 'most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!' He criticizes his mother: 'Frailty, thy name is woman!' Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo enter, and Hamlet greets them warmly. He claims to see his father in his mind's eye. Horatio describes the Ghost's appearance: 'A figure like your father, Armed at point exactly, cap-à-pie, Appears before them, and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them.' The Ghost appeared three times, while the watchmen were 'distill'd Almost to jelly with the act of fear.' Hamlet decides to watch that night, declaring 'My father's spirit in arms! All is not well; I doubt some foul play: would the night were come!' In Act I, Scene III, Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet's love: 'For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood; A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting.' He compares Hamlet's love to a fleeting flower and warns Ophelia not to trust it. He also warns about Hamlet's royal position: 'Perhaps he loves you now, And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will; but you must fear, His greatness weigh'd, his will is not his own.' Polonius enters and questions Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet. He dismisses her claims as 'unsifted in such perilous circumstance' and warns her not to trust Hamlet's 'tenders.' He calls Hamlet's vows 'brokers, Not of that dye which their investments show, But mere implorators of unholy suits, Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, The better to beguile.' He orders her 'from this time forth Have you so slander any moment leisure As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.'

Claudius married his brother's widow Gertrude only one month after her husband's death, which was considered scandalous and almost incestuous. In Elizabethan society, there was typically a six-month mourning period before remarriage. This rapid remarriage was one of the primary reasons for Hamlet's distress and contributed to his decision to investigate his father's death. The Ghost of King Hamlet appears to Hamlet and his guards near midnight on the castle terrace. The Ghost reveals that he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who poured poison in his ear while he slept. This revelation transforms Hamlet's understanding of his situation, as he now knows his father was not only killed but murdered in a particularly brutal manner.

In Act 1, Scene 1, the castle guards of Elsinore are nervous because a ghost haunts the watch. They invite Horatio to try to speak with it. The ghost appears but remains silent. The guards explain that the ghost resembles King Hamlet and appears during the Norwegian threat. They decide to inform Prince Hamlet immediately. In Scene 2, Claudius, the new king, laments his brother's death and has married Gertrude. He sends ambassadors to Norway and grants Laertes leave to return to France. Gertrude encourages Hamlet to stop mourning, stating 'All that lives must die.' Claudius publicly identifies Hamlet as crown prince and criticizes his mourning as 'unmanly grief.' Hamlet's first soliloquy reveals his depression and anger at his mother's remarriage, stating 'Frailty, thy name is woman.' Horatio recounts seeing the ghost, and Hamlet decides to join the watch that night. In Scene 3, Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet, stating 'For Hamlet and the trifling of his favor, hold it to a fashion and a toy in your blood.' Polonius gives Laertes advice about moderation and warns him about Hamlet's instability. Polonius then confronts Ophelia and forbids her from seeing Hamlet any longer. In Scene 4, Hamlet criticizes Claudius's celebration and the ghost appears and beckons him to follow. Despite the risks, Hamlet decides to follow the ghost, stating 'I'll follow it.'