Final answer:
Old Hamlet appears as a ghost in the play, which may reflect Elizabethan views on the supernatural, while Hamlet, the protagonist, deals with the ghost's call for revenge and questions about his own sanity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Old Hamlet and Hamlet
The difference between Old Hamlet and Hamlet in Shakespeare's play involves their roles and contributions to the overarching narrative.
Old Hamlet is the deceased King of Denmark and father of the protagonist, appearing as a ghost to incite the actions of the central character.
In contrast, Hamlet is the living Prince of Denmark, struggling with the revenge tasked to him by the apparition of his father and his own existential considerations.
The ghost's identity—whether it is truly Old Hamlet's spirit, a demon, or a product of Hamlet's imagination—serves as a plot device to explore themes like madness, revenge, and the cultural context of Elizabethan Englande.
The ghost embodies the cultural context of the time, reflecting Elizabethan beliefs about the supernatural. Hamlet's feigned or real madness is a subject of much debate, rooted in the practice of learning and the understanding of mental health of the era. The play itself is a study in character and the impact of personal agony on the psyche, made vivid by Shakespeare's nuanced writing and staging choices.