<Dd> For a synopsis of the play, see Hamlet </Dd> <P> The Ghost appears three times in the play: in Act I, Scene i; in the continuum of Act I, Scenes iv and v; and Act III, Scene iv . The ghost arrives at 1.00 a.m. in at least two of the scenes, and in the other scene all that is known is that it is night . </P> <P> The Ghost first appears to a duo of soldiers--Bernardo and Marcellus--and a visitor to Denmark, Horatio . The men draw their swords and stand in fear, requesting that Horatio, as a scholar, address the ghost . Horatio asks the ghost to speak, and reveal its secret . It is about to do so when the cock crows, signalling morning, and the ghost instead disappears . In this scene, the Ghost is clearly recognised by all present as the King, dressed in his full armour . Marcellus notes that the ghost had appeared to the castle guards twice before . Talk of spectral visitations has unsettled the night watch . Francisco, who Bernardo relieves on guard duty says, "For this relief much thanks;' t is bitter cold, And I am sick at heart ." </P> <P> Seeing the Ghost arrayed in a military aspect, and aware of Fortinbras marshalling his forces on the frontier, Horatio recognises that the appearance of the Ghost must portend something regarding matters of state . </P>

In hamlet the ghost of hamlet’s father first appears to