The Ghost Reveals the Truth — Hamlet

Hamlet follows the ghost to a remote corner of the castle and hears the charge he feared. The spirit identifies itself as Hamlet's father, bound to walk at night until his sins are purged, and demands revenge for murder most foul. Claudius poured hebenon into the sleeping king's ear and seized crown and queen; the court was told a serpent killed him in the orchard. Hamlet cries that his prophetic soul always knew his uncle was the serpent.

The ghost forbids harming Gertrude and vanishes as dawn nears, leaving the command: remember me. Horatio and Marcellus arrive to find Hamlet shaken but strategic. He makes them swear on his sword never to reveal the night's events while the ghost's voice echoes under the stage.

Hamlet warns he may put an antic disposition on, acting mad so he can probe the court without restraint. He tells Horatio there are more things in heaven and earth than philosophy dreams of, then closes with anguish: the time is out of joint, and he was born to set it right.