Final answer:
The apparition mentioned as the 'armed head' is a reference to the first apparition in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' warning Macbeth about Macduff. Other excerpts depict figures that are ghostly or powerful, like the 'headless horseman' from Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' that create an immersive narrative for the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker you're referring to arises from various pieces of literature, with each quotation painting a vivid picture of ghostly or powerful figures, engaging in events that span from the supernatural to the historic. The apparition being the "armed head" directly relates to the first apparition in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" - a symbol of warning to Macbeth about Macduff. The apparitions preceding the "armed head" are described with intense, often ghostly traits.
For instance, the frightened pedagogue encounters an apparition that challenges his courage, pushing him into a state of panic. Another passage describes an enigmatic figure taking a minister's place, captivating an audience with a solemn presence. We also have the headless horseman, believed to be the specter of a Hessian trooper, which is a nod to Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
The depiction of these apparitions is rich in history and supernatural elements. They conjure the theme of the search for something lost - whether it is the Hessian searching for his head or figures reenacting historical moments. Ghostly encounters and speaking figures are indicative of literature that speaks to the reader, drawing them into the narrative as either a participant or observer.