HAMLET

William Shakespeare

Act I – Scene I

The Shakespearean tragedy "Hamlet" opens in the castle of Elsinore, in Denmark. It 's almost midnight and the sentinel Barnardo is going to relieve the soldier Francisco. Then enter the scene the officer Marcellus and Hamlet's friend, Horatio.

The three men began to argue about an unusual appearance: the one of the deceased king, Hamlet's father. Marcellus and Barnardo want to persuade Horatio that what they tell about the appearance is real and not just a fantasy because they've seen him twice.

At the snap of midnight the ghost again makes an appearance and even Horatio became convinced of his resemblance to the King Hamlet.

For the two guards it is a bad sign that perhaps indicates the imminent invasion of the troops of Fortinbras, prince of Norway. The spectrum does not say anything and immediately disappears. He reappeares shortly afterwards and seems about to speak when the cock crow, announcing the dawn, forcing him to disappear. Horatio decides to inform Hamlet about this.