"To be, or not to be," is the opening phrase of Prince Hamlet's famous soliloquy. This is the most famous soliloquy from the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, a line where Hamlet is asking himself whether he should attempt suicide. The ghost of his father, King Hamlet, brings this upon him this very question. Often a significant appearance from a character can affect the theme or influence other character's actions. The ghost of King Hamlet unexpectedly approaches his son where he expresses significant information to Hamlet that instantly shifts the theme of the play. With the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost, Prince Hamlet receives a clouded mission to avenge his father's murder and purge the poisoned kingdom.
To begin, King Hamlet's first appearance in Denmark in the first scene displayed a dark and gloomy beginning to set the mood of the play. When the ghost is revealed, it is clear that he will be an effective and important character to the overall outcome of the play. In act one, scene five, the ghost of King Hamlet unexpectedly emerges in the face of Prince Hamlet to present him with information that changes the motive of the play completely. King Hamlet says," But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father's life, now wears his crown." (Act 1, Scene 5). The ghost explains to Hamlet the story behind his death. In addition, he states, "Sleeping within my orchard, my custom always of the afternoon, upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, with juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, and in the porches of my ears did pour" (Act 1, Scene 5). Within this conversation, Hamlet quickly learns that his father's death occurred from the hands of the man who now rules the country; the man who must die. He tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him out of pure jealousy. At the time, Claudius wished to steal his wife and become king of the country of Denmark.