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In scene 1, we see the play is set outside of Elsinore Castle in Denmark. The setting of the play took place during the night time. The watchmen who are guarding the castle are Bernardo, Marcellus and Francisco. The watchmen believed they saw a ghost who resembles the recently deceased King Hamlet. The watchmen brought Horatio, a friend of Prince Hamlet to witness the ghost. Horatio was skeptical at first but soon realized the ghost resembles King Hamlet. Horatio believed it is King Hamlet because the ghost wears same armour he fought against Norway. This is explained by Horatio “Such was the very armour he had on,/When he the ambitious Norway combated” (I,i,72-73). Horatio decided he needs to tell Hamlet about his father’s appearance. The ghost did not speak to Horatio, but he believes that the ghost wants to talk to Prince Hamlet.
In this scene, it sets off a supernatural feeling. In this scene, Shakespeare has established a mysterious and dark atmosphere. The appearance of the ghost who is wearing armour might foreshadow that Denmark is in great danger.
Nevertheless, this all changed in scene 2. In this scene, we don’t see any supernatural because we see the coronation ceremony for the new king, Claudius. Even though scene 1 took place at a gloomy and dark place whereas scene 2 is more joyful and bright. King Claudius announces his marriage to Gertrude, his brother’s widow and mother of Hamlet. He believes that Denmark needs to stop mourning for King Hamlet’s death and move on with his marriage. Even though Claudius is happy, Hamlet on the hand is not. Despite the fact that Hamlet is still mourning for his father’s death, Claudius asks, “how is it that the clouds still hang on you?” (I,ii, 67). However, Hamlet does not want to stop mourning for his father’s death. Even though his mother also urges him to forget about his father and move on, Hamlet refuses to. We also see Horatio enter into the scene where he tells Hamlet about the ghost who resembles his father. Hamlet was stunned and agrees to go guard the castle with them in hopes to see his father. I think this shows that Hamlet is the only character in the play who believes that his father’s death is suspicious and out of the ordinary. It is evident that Hamlet is the only one who is concerned about his father’s death.
Furthermore, we see the relationship between Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude in scene 2. We see that Hamlet disapproved Claudius marriage to his mother because he believed it is wrong. He also thinks his mother quickly got over his father’s death whilst he is still grieving. Hamlet thinks the marriage is immoral in which he states, “[Gertrude] married: - O, most wicked speed, to post/With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (I,ii,158-159). Hamlet is the only character who does not seem to be happy for Claudius marriage despite the fact that Claudius is trying very hard to cover up King Hamlet’s death. In the first scene illustrate darkness and supernatural in Denmark however, the second scene shows Claudius’ corruption. As a reader, we believe Claudius as the antagonist in the play since he quickly got over his brother’s death and married his brother’s widow.
As a final point, we learn that the relationship between Gertrude, Claudius and Hamlet is already deteriorating. We can see that their relationship is weak and it is not going to get any better. It is going to be interesting to see what happens next. Stay tuned! Feel free to comment and give some insight!