ii.149). He wanted to be so much like him, but could not because of a couple of barriers that he had to deal with. .
The appearance of the ghost in the first act changes the fate that has struck Denmark with the sudden death of Old King Hamlet and turns the play into a revenge tragedy.
On the side the ghost triggers the whole tragedy in revealing the circumstances of his death to Hamlet. On the other side the ghost symbolises the old structures and values of medieval society.
Old King Hamlet was a warrior king who risked his life and fought for his country on the battleground. This is shown when Horatio describes the Old King's fight against Old Fortinbras, the King of Norway, whom he killed in a single fight on the battlefield and took parts of his lands. "That can I: at least the whisper goes so. Our last king, whose image even but now appear?d to us, was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, thereto prick?d on by a most emulate pride, dar?d to the combat. Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands which he stood seiz?d of." (I.1.92-109).
He appears to Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus in full armor "Such was the very armour he had on when he ambitious Norway combated" (I.1.72-73) what stresses the frightfulness of his appearance.
He is characterised as "a figure like your father, armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe, appears before them, and with solemn march goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk?d by their oppress?d and fear-surprised eyes, within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distill?d almost to jelly with the act of fear, stand dumb and not to him." (I.2.205-212).
Horatio describes his pale face "a countenance more in sorrow than in anger" (I.2.243) as the visor was raised. Although the ghost is in armor his expression shows wisdom, both signs for a philosopher king. .
Old King Hamlet is also representing the "good old" medieval values in contrast to the degeneration of the characters of Claudius, his youngest brother, and Gertrude.
