The Promise Amongst Men

Before I start my blog I would like to say that this is my first time ever reading Hamlet since I know most people have, so what I write is only based on what I know from act 1. So anyway for my blog this week I would like to talk about the promise that Horatio and Marcellus made to Hamlet the night he met with the ghost. During this scene Hamlet meets the ghost of his father and find out the true villain and reason for his passing is Hamlet’s own uncle and Father’s brother. This is the first moment when the characters on the play find out what really happened to the King. Hamlet finding out about his father’s death comes to the realization that he must revenge his father, but he must first make sure no one knows of what has taken place that night. Besides Hamlet the other two people who witnessed Hamlet’s discussion with his dead father were Horatio and Marcellus who are not only night guards, but are also considered friends to Hamlet. When Hamlet realizes that he must keep this meeting a secret he has these two men swear on his sword that they will never tell anyone about what happened that night no matter what. Whether Hamlet acts as mad as a hatter they are told to never say they knew that Hamlet was acting strange or if they saw it coming. I believe this is very important to the play for various reasons. First of all the burden that these men have to keep their mouths shut may become very tough as they may not believe Hamlet and worry for the protection of the new King. If the swear is broken by these men then Hamlet’s plot of revenge may fail as well. This swear is also important because if these two men are the only ones who know the truth about Hamlet’s father’s death then they may be the only two people who can help Hamlet achieve his revenge. These two men have made a promise of the sword of Hamlet and their promise is very important to the plot of the play as their actions can change what happens more so than any other character at this point in the play. What purpose they do serve is a mystery to me right now, however I am curious what does become of these two and will their sighting of the ghost every night be an omen of their own future deaths? I guess I will have to read on to find out.