ACT 1 SCENE 1

ACT 1 SCENE 1

1. Key themes

   • Religion
     • Afterlife - why is the old hamlet lingering and not in heaven?
     • There is a conflict of whether the ghost has come from heaven or hell.
     • Marcellus refers to the labourers who are working on Sabbath against the commands of religion
     • The ghost disappears when the cock crows - this is a biblical illusion to the death of Christ and suggests that the ghost is not heavenly at all
   • Honour and masculinity
     • The old king is described as honourable, fair and war like
     • Fortinbras is young, untried and foolish in comparison
   • The supernatural
     • The ghost of the old king is a herald of trouble, it indicates there is something wrong both with his presence and with the kingdom

2. Form, Structure and language

   • Opening
     • The scene starts at night and creates the sense of suspense and intrigue. Its a suitable location for the ghost.
   • Form
     • The revenge tragedy often starts with a ghost who tells the rest of the characters something that starts the story. Shakespeare uses a classic revenge tragedy structure.
   • Context
     • Renaissance believes in the importance of scholars. Horatio may be able to speak to the ghost because he is educated.