Final answer:
Hamlet tells Horatio about the death of his father by his uncle, a fact revealed to him by the ghost of his father. Horatio, who is initially skeptical about the existence of ghosts, becomes convinced of the ghost's legitimacy. The ghost's appearance and Hamlet's struggle with its message are intertwined with the cultural context of Elizabethan England.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hamlet tells Horatio that his uncle killed his father. Hamlet has learned this unsettling information from the apparition of his deceased father, who is often referred to as the Ghost in Shakespeare's play. This revelation unfolds in a complex narrative where the ghost's credibility, Hamlet's mental state, and the broader cultural context of Elizabethan England play significant roles.
Throughout the play, the character of Horatio remains a confidant to Hamlet, embodying reason and skepticism. He initially doubts the existence of ghosts but is persuaded by direct evidence. Literary analyses, such as those provided by Harold Bloom, suggest that while some characters in the play see the Ghost as an ominous portent, others, like Horatio, are convinced of its legitimacy over time.
The cultural context is pivotal as Hamlet reflects on the issues of legitimacy, revenge, the supernatural, and the precarious political and social order of the time. Shakespeare's exploration of these themes through Hamlet's dialogue with Horatio and other characters invites varied interpretations, some of which view the ghost as a symbol of the oppression of Catholics during the era.