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All Site ContentHamletAct 1Scene 5
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The Ghost Departs
Context and Language Videos
Act 1,
Scene 5
Lines 89-95

A discussion of the ghost's departure in Act 1, Scene 5 of myShakespeare's Hamlet.

myShakespeare | Hamlet 1.5 Discussion: The Ghost Departs

Ghost 

The glow-worm shows the matin to be near
And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire.
Adieu, adieu, Hamlet! Remember me.      
[Exit.]

Hamlet 

Oh, all you host of heaven! Oh, earth! What else, 
And shall I couple hell? Oh, fie! Hold, my heart, 
And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, 
But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee?
Video Transcript: 

RALPH: Even though the ghost orders Hamlet to take revenge against Claudius, he also specifies that Hamlet should not take any action towards his mother, but rather let her own conscience punish her.

SARAH: As morning approaches, the sky begins to become lighter, and therefore the fireflies, or glow-worms, appear less bright against the sky. This is a sign that it's almost time for the ghost to return to Purgatory; he can only roam the world of the living during the night.