Shakespeare loves the application of ghosts in his plays, Hamlet is no exception. Scholars argue that Hamlet's ghost is just a figment of Hamlet's imagination, but how does that explain others witnessing the apparition. Hamlet's mental state declines throughout the play, but what is the real cause? From an outside perspective, Hamlet appears mad, whether he is mad or not remains ambiguous. If he is mad, does the traumatic loss of his father cause Hamlet to see a ghost or is the ghost real? The ghost first appears to three soldiers on guard: Bernado, Francisco and Marcellus, as well as Horatio, a friend of Hamlet. and visitor to Denmark. Bernado and Marcellus want to reveal to Horatio the ghost they have witnessed over the past two nights. Like the previous nights, the ghost appears and frightens the men. Surprised by the ghost wearing full armor, the men draw their swords. Shortly after examining the ghost, Horatio confirms that the ghost resembles Hamlet's deceased father, the former king. The ghost quickly disappears but reappears shortly after. Desperate to determine the ghost's intention, Horatio struggles to converse with the apparition. Remaining silent, the ghost wanders causally around the platform. As the rooster crows, the ghost disappears and leaves the men perplexed. While with men, the ghost never communicates, but to Horatio and the others, the ghost is clearly Hamlet's father. Horatio, knowing that the ghost is Hamlet's father, asks Hamlet to stay on guard duty with the men to try to determine the ghost's intention. . This appearance of the ghost is very different from the first appearance. Although all men can see the ghost, Hamlet is the only one who can communicate with it. He... middle of paper...... mentions: "I am the spirit of your father, condemned for a time to walk at night, and during the day confined to fasting in fires, until what the fault occurs. the crimes committed in the time of my nature Are burned and purged. But I am forbidden to tell the secrets of my prison, I could tell a story the least word of which would tear your soul, freeze your young blood, make your two eyes, like stars, come out of their spheres, your locks knotted and combined. separate and each particular hair stand up, like quills on the agitated porcentine: but this eternal blazon must not be brought to the ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! If you ever loved your dear father...." Clearly, the ghost states that he is in Purgatory, but Protestants have no belief in Purgatory. Either Shakespeare is making a mistake or he deliberately added this as proof that the ghost doesn't exist..