Hamlet and His Father: “A Ghost Story”

For performers, audiences, and scholars across the centuries, Hamlet endures as one of Shakespeare’s most compelling plays. A tale of murder, madness, revenge, and corrupted family loyalties ― it is also, in certain ways, a ghost story.

Just in time for Halloween, we at Shakespeare For Our Children have included here an edited version of the early scene between Hamlet and his father’s ghost.

Here, Hamlet learns that his father has been murdered ― a revelation which sets the tragedy in motion.

This is a scene of high drama ― so when you stage this scene with the children, feel comfortable letting the words speak for themselves. For example, a plain black curtain as a backdrop sets the grim mood of the piece, as do block-color costumes for the children. (Perhaps black for Hamlet, grey or white for his father’s ghost.) Stay tuned for more Halloween-themed posts!

©2016