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The Significance of the Ghost in ArmorFrom Hamlet, an ideal prince, and other essays in Shakesperean interpretation: Hamlet; Merchant of Venice; Othello; King Lear by Alexander W. Crawford. Boston R.G. Badger, 1916. So much is said in the play about the ghost's warlike form that great significance must be attached to that fact. On its appearance on the stage Horatio speaks of it as having on, "that fair and warlike formAnd when Marcellus asks, "Is it not like the king?"Horatio replies: "As thou art to thyself;When Marcellus further observes its "martial stalk," Horatio suggests that, "This bodes some strange eruption to our state."Then after Horatio has explained to Marcellus and the others the reason for the warlike preparations and the impending danger from Norway, Bernardo remarks: "Well may it sort, that this portentous figureIt is quite clear, then, that they regard the king's appearance in arms as a portent of grave danger to the state from the ambitions of young Fortinbras of Norway. When they inform Hamlet of the apparition, one of the points they specially mention is that he was "arm'd." Horatio describes the ghost as, "A figure like your father,Hamlet seems not more impressed with the appearance of the ghost than with the fact that he was "arm'd." After being apparently convinced that the ghost had actually appeared, in great excitement he questions his friends until all three assert that the ghost was "arm'd." Then he cross-questions them, and, when convinced of the truth of their statement, he begs them to keep the matter secret, and "Give it an understanding, but no tongue."When alone, he observes, "My father's spirit in arms I all is not well;It is the general opinion, then, that great significance is to be attached to the fact that the king appeared in armor. When we take this in connection with the fact that he appeared to the guards, as they said, "upon the platform where we watch'd," it is impossible not to infer that the king came upon a patriotic mission, and that his appearance was intended to have a relation to the defence of Denmark. All that Hamlet's friends had told him was soon confirmed by the appearance of the ghost to him in the same guise. As if to confirm the words of his friends, he notices that the "dead corse" of his father is again clad "in complete steel." (I. iv. 52.) The apparition will say nothing, however, in the presence of all, though he makes it clear by beckoning Hamlet that he has something for his ear alone. As the ghost and Hamlet withdraw for their private interview, Marcellus feels that it is upon the business of the state that the ghost appears, and remarks: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." (I. iv. 90.)To this Horatio replies, "Heaven will direct it." The inference they all appear to draw is that the visit of the late king's spirit is in connection with the impending danger to the state of Denmark. This seems to imply that the task that is falling to Hamlet is not merely a personal matter between him and his father, but a momentous undertaking of great national import.
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