Hamlet+1.4

3. What are the ghost's motives? Why does it want Young Hamlet to follow so badly? Does it have good intentions or is it seeking revenge on the still living? Will the ghost force Young Hamlet to do what it wants? Though we are sure the ghost is of King Hamlet, it is unclear whether this ghost is dangerous or not. One would think that since Hamlet was the ghost's son that it would cause no harm, however its control over Hamlet is surely suspicious.

6. Disregarding whatever Marcellus and Horatio say, Hamlet does what he wants in this scene and remains superior to the other characters. Even though Horatio says,"No, by no means," should he listen to the ghost, Hamlet states,"It will not speak. Then I will follow it," showing that he is independent and determined to figure the entity out for himself (1.4.69-70). However, Hamlet seems almost possessed by the ghost, whom he assumes is his father. Hamlet pronounces, "My fate cries out and makes each pretty srture in this body as hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve. Still I am called" (1.4.91-94). It is clear that the ghost has a sort of power over Hamlet at this point and that he is somewhat obedient to the presence.

8. Before the ghost enters the scene, Hamlet says,"The dram of evil doth all the noble substance of a doubt to his own scandal," which is an ambiguous view on the effects of evil (1.4.39-41). It seems that Hamlet feels even a small amount of evil will corrupt anything good. Perhaps this is foreshadowing future actions by the ghost? After the ghost 'beckons' Hamlet to follow him Hamlet wonders,"And for my soul, what can it do to that, being a thing immortal as itself?" (1.4.74-75). His reference to his 'soul' and the existence of the ghost is extremely ambiguous because neither have definite definitions or understandings.