Sc. 5, Lines 1–24

1. Sc. 5, Lines 1–24: What mood is created by the words of the Ghost? What does the ghost say is his ultimate destination? Why? How does the information that the Ghost reveals influence the audience’s impression of Hamlet’s father?

Scene 5 Another part of the fortifications.

[Enter Ghost and Hamlet.]

Hamlet. Whither wilt thou lead me? Speak. I’ll go no further.

Ghost. Mark me.

Hamlet.I will.

Ghost. My hour is almost come When I to sulf ’rous and tormenting f lames Must render up myself.

Hamlet.Alas, poor ghost!

Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold.

Hamlet. Speak. I am bound to hear.

Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear.

Hamlet. What?

Ghost. I am thy father’s spirit. Doomed for a certain term to walk the night And for the day confined to fast in fires