Final answer:
To determine the tone in Hamlet, one must look for key words that carry negative connotations, such as 'incestuous', 'adulterate', 'wicked', and 'shameful lust', which convey the Ghost's disapproval and moral outrage.
Step-by-step explanation:
When analyzing the tone of Shakespeare's Hamlet, key words such as 'incestuous', 'adulterate', 'wicked', and 'shameful lust' help identify the tone. These words carry negative connotations and underscore the strong emotions of disgust and contempt that the Ghost expresses towards Gertrude and Claudius.
Such diction reveals the disapproval and moral outrage felt by the Ghost, painting a picture of betrayal and moral decay. The tone of the passage can be described as dark and accusatory, with Shakespeare using these emotionally charged words to convey a profound sense of wrongness. During a literary analysis, engagement with the text through annotation, taking notes, and questioning allows one to recognize patterns that point to underlying themes and symbols, as well as to understand the tone and mood of the narrative.