The Ghost in Kenneth Brannaghs Hamlet Essay - 1518 Words

The Ghost in Kenneth Brannaghs Hamlet William Shakespeares Hamlet is a drama which has been renound for its content and depiction of characters. Over the years, it has gone through many variations of interpretations and criticisms. One such criticism is the nature of the ghost who takes the form of Hamlets dead father. At first glance, it may be sufficient to accept the ghost as the spirit of Hamlets dead father who returns to the land of the living in order to have his son avenge his murder. However, looking deeper into the text, several unignorable signs become visible which lead us to see that the ghost is actually the devil in disguise. Kenneth Brannaghs 1997 production of Hamlet brilliantly portrays these signs of evil and†¦show more content†¦This is the first sign that the ghost has come from a place other than heaven. Horatio explains the tradition concerning spirits and the crowing of the cock: The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, .Awake the god of day, and at his warning, .Th extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine; and of the truth herein This present object made probation. (I:1:147-155) Then Marcellus adds to this by explaining the tradition concerning the Christmas season. He says that during this time of year, no spirit dare stir abroad because so hallowed and so gracious is that time (I:1:160,163). Because the season has come for the grounds to be sacred and holy, the Devil is cautious in its moments appearance and disappearance. When Hamlet sees the ghost for the first time, the first words out of his mouth are, Angels and ministers of grace defend us (I:4:39). This is the first sign of evil that is sensed through the ghost. The men had no idea what kind of a spirit the ghost was, whether it was sent by heaven or by hell. Horatio then shows his concern, warning Hamlet that the apparition may lead him to a horrible place and change form Which might deprive [Hamlets] sovereignty or reason / And draw [him] into madness (I:4:73-74). This gives us a foreshadowing of the events, which will take place in the play. Later, due to Hamlets heavy load of emotional problems, he is drawn intoShow MoreRelated Comparative Analysis Of The Ghost In Two Hamlet Movies Essay1100 Words   |  5 PagesComparative Analysis Of The Ghost In Two Hamlet Movies The play â€Å"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark†, by William Shakespeare being of such a complicated variety of themes, contains many different story lines as well as being very extensive in nature makes it quite a challenge to be produced and acted. On paper, the reader can translate things, as they like. Since Shakespeare is not around to tell us the meaning of every theme or the truth about every nook and cranny about his works. It is up to theRead MoreHamlet Essay1901 Words   |  8 PagesMarch 2014 The Ghost in Kenneth Brannagh’s Hamlet: A Masterpiece William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragedy known for its drama and portrayal of its characters. For many decades, the play has undergone different interpretations as well as criticisms. An important factor of the play that has gone through this criticism is the character of the ghost who appears to be Hamlet’s dead father. After the first encounter between Hamlet and his â€Å"father†, it seems apparent that the ghost is in fact Old