follows the ghost, suggest the murder. claudius poisoned the late hamlet. convinces hamlet to take a revenge, but not to hurt his mother. solioguy, sorrow, overwhemled. he tells horatio, marcellus in secrecy, hamlet's duty to commitment. - ghost, present, action - king hamlet - catalyst, pivotal element of madness or revenge- simple drama to story of revenge. hamlet and fortinbras, - prince, dead fathers