SC 5, Lines 148 -170: Infer why Hamlet doesn't tell the others what the Chost has told him and swears them to silence When the Chost speaks many critics believe that only Ha et hears the Chose and that he is so agitated by this point that the Ghost saying "Swear"is an aural halludration Read this scene Hamlet closely, finding evidence that only Hamlet hears the Chost

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SC 5, Lines 148 -170: Infer why Hamlet doesn't tell the others what the Chost has told him and swears them to silence When the Chost speaks many critics believe that only Ha et hears the Chose and that he is so agitated by this point that the Ghost saying "Swear"is an aural halludration Read this scene Hamlet closely, finding evidence that only Hamlet hears the Chost

Answer 1

Hamlet doesn't immediately share the Ghost's revelations for several key reasons, all contributing to the rising tension and mystery of the play:* **The need for verification:** Hamlet is understandably cautious. He's just encountered the ghost of his father who claims to have been murdered. This is a shocking accusation, and Hamlet, a thoughtful and intelligent prince, needs time to process and confirm the truth of this claim before acting rashly. He needs to be certain he's not dealing with a deceptive spirit.* **Strategic secrecy:** Revealing the Ghost's accusations could prematurely alert Claudius, giving him the opportunity to cover his tracks or retaliate against Hamlet. Hamlet needs time to devise a plan to expose Claudius's guilt without putting himself in danger. Secrecy is crucial to his strategy.* **Protecting his sanity:** Hamlet's encounter with the Ghost is deeply unsettling. He's already grappling with grief and the hasty remarriage of his mother. Sharing the news of a vengeful ghost could lead others to question his sanity, potentially undermining his ability to act against Claudius.* **The Ghost's instructions:** The Ghost explicitly commands Hamlet to swear secrecy. This reinforces Hamlet's own inclination towards caution and suggests a supernatural element at play that demands obedience.Regarding the question of whether only Hamlet hears the Ghost in this particular passage (Act 1, Scene 5, lines 148-170), several pieces of textual evidence support this interpretation:* **Hamlet's physical reactions:** The text describes Hamlet's intense physical and emotional responses to the Ghost's voice, including trembling and agitation. Horatio and Marcellus, however, show no signs of hearing or seeing anything unusual.* **The Ghost's direct address to Hamlet:** The Ghost repeatedly uses the pronoun "thee" and addresses Hamlet directly, suggesting a private conversation.* **Horatio and Marcellus's confusion:** They repeatedly ask Hamlet who he is speaking to and express concern for his well-being. Their questions clearly indicate they are unaware of the Ghost's presence. Lines like "My lord, I pray you tell me" and "What mean you by this, my lord?" demonstrate their bewilderment.* **Hamlet's evasiveness:** Hamlet's responses to his friends are vague and evasive. He avoids directly answering their questions about whom he is speaking to, further suggesting a private exchange.* **The Ghost's insistence on the oath:** The repeated "Swear" from beneath the stage, while Hamlet's friends try to restrain him, could be interpreted as an auditory hallucination brought on by the extreme stress of the encounter, further isolating Hamlet in his experience.While some productions choose to stage the Ghost as visible to all, the text itself strongly suggests that only Hamlet perceives the Ghost in this scene, adding to the psychological complexity of the play and raising questions about Hamlet's mental state.

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