"In 1.2.265-281 I wondered how Hamlet could trust Horatio, Marcellus, and Barnardo with such an important secret as the appearance of his father’s ghost. It seems as though Hamlet has in fact assumed a kind of authority role over his friends, and their insistence to report back all information to him insures their loyalty to him. I also wondered why this must be kept a secret, because if Hamlet were really loyal to the current king, Claudius, then he would be obligated to report back all unusual happenings within his kingdom. This just reiterates the grief Hamlet still feels over his father’s death and his wish to keep the sighting secret shows that he is not afraid to undermine the current king because he does not value his authority. Hamlet is clever in that he appeases those around him on the outside, but on the inside he is scheming and planning his next move and he will not settle for this injustice."
--Taylor Daugherty
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