Why Is Hamlet Purgatory
The ghost of King Hamlet is a demon that brings forth the downfall of Denmark. Beginning in the first meeting between the ghost and Hamlet, the ghost can be seen to contradict itself as to its true identity. After describing its current state of purgatory as something that “would harrow up [Hamlet’s] soul, freeze [Hamlet’s] young blood, make [Hamlet’s] two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres,” (1.5.17-18) the ghost goes on to persuade Hamlet to revenge King Hamlet’s “foul and most unnatural murder.” (1.5.26) This request actually starkly contradicts the ghost’s depiction of purgatory for if purgatory is as bad as the ghost had made it seem, it wouldn’t have actively persuaded someone else to sin on its behalf because that is