Fear and Love of a Familiar Face

In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, Act 1 Scene 5, Hamlet realizes he must murder his uncle to redeem his father’s his fathers good name and bring to light the evils of the recently crowned, King Claudius. As the ghost of Hamlet’s father speaks to Hamlet, the ghost explains that he was murdered by Claudius, and that Hamlet should, “let not the royal bed of Denmark be/A couch for luxury and damnéd incest” (1.5.89-90). The ghost is setting up Hamlet’s mission and motivation to commit treason to save his father from his firey. Branagh tries to portray Hamlet as a Prince and son who is afraid, moved, and appauled by the sight of his dead father and by the image of his uncle killing his father. Branagh is trying to set up Hamlet’s motivation for killing the King by giving Hamlet a warm, touching sight (his father) while still keeping the tone serious so Hamlet completes his mission (the ghost’s armor and facial expression). Also, Old Hamlet tells of his time in purgatory and the flames and pains that are washing away his sins. This painful description of Hamlet’s father’s pain urges Hamlet to act more quickly to save his father from suffering by setting the truth free about the murder of the old king. Though difficult, Branagh portrays Hamlet as speaking to a ghost, whom he loves, and bad omen of chaos to come. This portrayal is difficult to act because no one really knows how they would act in front of a ghost who represents love and turmoil. This scene is setting up the main climax of the story when, hopefully, Hamlet kills his uncle and sets his father’s soul free from the pains and sufferings of purgatory. Hamlet makes sure no one else hears of the ghost and the presence of Old Hamlet to make sure Claudius is vulnerable to attack and set the State of Denmark right.