Hamlet and Proof
“Hamlet” and “Proof” involve the wide application of the theme of ghosts who play crucial in the development of the plot in both plays. The ghosts of the relatives to the primary protagonists determine the way the protagonists go about their general characteristics throughout the plays. However, the ghosts are not protagonists in the play and only come out to shape the traits of the protagonists. In “Hamlet,” Shakespeare uses the ghost of Hamlet’s father to introduce him to revenge for his father’s death: “Do not forget. This visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose,” Shakespeare (177). On the other hand, David Auburn uses Robert’s ghost to inform Catherine of her condition and instills fear that is evident throughout the story: “I thought I’d check up on you. Why [you are] not in bed…,” Auburn (1970). The use of ghosts in “Hamlet” and “Proof” is based on several differences, and the plots of the plays rely heavily on the emergence of ghosts in the initial stages of the plays.
Shakespeare and Auburn both employ the use of ghosts to create plots for their plays. The emergence of ghosts in the opening and other earlier scenes is crucial in the development of the plays. In “Hamlet,” the ghost appears when Hamlet is speaking to the queen. Generally, Hamlet had not known the killer of his father until the ghost opened up to him. Besides, the ghost would not directly carry out a revenge mission and had to use the services of Hamlet: “So art thou to revenge, when thou [shall] hear” Shakespeare (57). Therefore, the ghost introduces the theme of revenge, which happens to be the primary theme in the entire play. The role played by Hamlet’s father’s ghost is crucial, and the story would not take the direction it took if the ghost did not appear. Hamlet would never come to know of his father’s killer, and he would not set out on a revenge mission. Generally, every unfolding in the play is an outcome of the changed mentality of Hamlet after his encounter with the ghost. On the other hand, Robert’s ghost shapes the plot of “Proof” by telling Catherine of her potential illness and instills fear that runs throughout the play.
Moreover, the plot of “Proof” depends on the events that unfolded from the meeting between Catherine and his father’s ghost. First, Robert’s ghost reveals to Catherine, her father’s death that had happened a week ago. Catherine was not sure of the cause of her father’s death, but the ghost reveals to her that Robert had been struggling with a mental illness. Robert’s ghost further tells Catherine that she might end up inheriting her father’s illness, and Catherine was filled with fear. Although Catherine had previously been presented as a fearful person, her fear multiplied after learning of her presumed destiny: “I do not count… I am your old man,” Auburn (1973). Generally, Catherine’s behavior changes after learning of her father’s death, and she starts to show signs of craziness. Usually, the knowledge of her father’s death and other details revealed by Robert’s ghost concerning her father’s works are essential in the development of the plot. The proof would have taken another unknown twist if the ghost did not appear to Catherine since the other events in the play depend on the initial meeting with the ghost. However, the roles played by ghosts in the development of plots in the two plays are significantly different.
The role played by ghosts in “Hamlet” and “Proof” are significantly different, and the characters develop differently after the encounter with the ghosts. Hamlet’s father comes to turn Hamlet against other characters and prepares him for revenge. After meeting with the ghost, Hamlet turns out to be vengeful and ruthless and determined to fulfill his desires: “The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is a thing,” Shakespeare (194). Also, Hamlet becomes wise as he manages to learn the plans of his enemies who were determined to have him killed. Also, the story ends in a tragedy that is a result of the actions of Hamlet, and the ghost can be held responsible. Unlike in “Hamlet,” the ghost in “Proof” does not have ill intentions on other characters. Robert’s ghost returns to meet Catherine, who would be lonely for losing his father. Generally, Robert’s ghost comes to comfort Catherine and warn her of the illness that would trouble her in the future. Generally, Catherine turns out to be fearful and cautious after meeting with her father’s ghost. Therefore, the ghosts in both plays have different intentions but participate significantly towards the development of the plots.
In sum, the use of ghosts in “Hamlet” and “Proof” is based on several similarities and differences, and the plots of the plays rely heavily on the emergence of ghosts in the initial stages of the plays. The emergence of ghosts in the opening and other earlier scenes is crucial in the development of the plays. However, the roles played by ghosts in the development of plots in the two plays are significantly different.
Works Cited
Auburn, David. “Proof.” Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet.” Compact Literature Reading Writing Reacting 9th ed. Edited by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell Wadsworth 2013
Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet.” Compact Literature Reading Writing Reacting 9th ed. Edited by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell Wadsworth 2013