October 5th, 2018

Here is a quick summary of what happened in Act 1 scenes 1

Francisco, Barnardo, and Marcellus are guards watching the palace of the Danish king. Marcellus and Barnardo relieve Francisco, along with Horatio.  Marcellus and Barnardo have asked Horatio to come with them.  Marcellus and Barnardo want Horatio to see what they have seen: an apparition in the form of Hamlet’s recently deceased father. Horatio does not believe them; he thinks that the Ghost is a “fantasy” (line 28). o The Ghost appears, and all three are very frightened; Horatio is “harrow[ed]” by fear (line 51).  Horatio, who is a scholar, speaks to the Ghost, demanding to know who or what he is that “usurp’st” the night (line 54). o The Ghost “stalk[s]” off, offended (line 77). Horatio agrees with Marcellus and Barnardo that the Ghost is real and that it looks like “the King” of Denmark, Hamlet’s father (line 69). Horatio thinks that it means something bad is going to happen in Denmark. They discuss the war that is brewing due to the actions of Fortinbras of Norway.  The Ghost reappears, but disappears again when the “cock” crows (line 165).  Marcellus, Barnardo, and Horatio are unable to stop or speak to the Ghost. o They decide to tell Hamlet, son of the late king, who is friends with Horatio, about the Ghost, because they believe that it will speak to him.

In Act 1 scene 2, what do we learn about Hamlet’s character according to Claudius?