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The pay opens with a tense atmosphere of dread and horror as symbolized by the
appearance of the ghost of the former king who died a few months back as well as acts of
insecurity and panic as reflected in the intensified state of security alertness and war
preparations. New soldiers are being recruited into the army; new weapons of war are being
produced while the guards are themselves are tense and fearful as they relieve each other
in their nightshifts. The country is in the mood of war with security alertness having been
raised to fever high pitch following threats of an external invasion from Norway led by the
young Fortinbras. The appearance of the dead king’s ghost accentuates the tension as it
portends that his death might have been unnatural or that the kingdom is in danger of being
overrun by its enemies. Horatio, a scholar from a German university and close friend to
Prince Hamlet, was brought in by the guards who are guarding the castle. He was initially
incredulous about the appearance of the ghost and gets mocked by Barnado when he
begins to tremble with fear at the sight of the ghost. The ghost disappears at the first crow
of the cock before it could respond to Horatio’s questioning. They all resolve to inform
Hamlet about this occurrence.
Act 1, Scene 2
The scene moves from the nocturnal setting of the ghost to pomp and ceremony marking
the celebrations of the new king’s coronation. This is arguably one of the most
diplomatically impressive scenes in the play’s entire story as it features King Claudius,
Denmark’s new ruler, exhibiting exceptional qualities of statesmanship in the midst of his
personal hurdles and those of his country. There are at least five challenges that he faces as
Denmark’s new ruler.
First King Claudius needs to convincingly deal with perceptions that he is an illegitimate king
who stole the crown from the deceased king’s rightful heir, Prince Hamlet.
Secondly he needs to deal with his hastily suspicious marriage to the deceased king’s wife
(Queen Getrude) hardy two months after her husband’s death.
Thirdly with threats of an external invasion from Norway, a high level of political acumen is
required on the part of the new king to keep the country safe and stable thereby inspiring
confidence among the citizenry-something that would go a long way in consolidating his
rule.
Another challenge was to win the loyalty of the courtiers such as Polonius who had served
the previous king well. These were likely to resist his rule and pave the way for his son.
Finally he had to win the acceptance and affection of Prince Hamlet himself as an aggrieved
and grieving crown prince who had lost his father, his crown and now his mother to his
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