The Ghost in Hamlet is a widely controversial topic with arguments determining whether the Ghost is a "damned goblin" or a "spirit of health". (1.4.40) "'A spirit of health' is one who comes from Heaven with charitable intentions, and 'a damned goblin' is one who comes from Hell with evil intentions." The Ghost only has two appearances in the play and is a symbol of uncertainty, but he is important as he catalyzes the play into action and also Hamlet into madness. Hamlet's ghost is an evil spirit who returns to avenge his murderer Claudius; which is a questionable action for a Catholic person leading the audience to believe that the Specter is evil. He pressures Hamlet to avenge Claudius while destroying Hamlet's reputation in the kingdom. Readers can contrast the madness of Ophelia and Hamlet to create the truth behind the Ghost by allowing the reader to make their own decisions about the Ghost's motivations in returning to visit his son. The Ghost first appears in act 1 scene 1 when Horatio and Marcellus and Barnardo is outside the castle exchanging guards. Once Hamlet discovers that perhaps the Ghost is his father. After the meeting and revelation of secrets in Act 1, Scene 5, Hamlet announces that he will become a madman: “As perhaps hereafter I shall think to meet to put an old-fashioned disposition,” (1.5.171-172). It is obvious that Hamlet's behavior changed immediately after his encounter with the Ghost, when Hamlet decides that it is best if they part ways and Horatio comments that Hamlet's words are "wild and whirling." (1.5.133) Perhaps Horace was right to be wary of the Ghost. He warned Hamlet that it might be an evil spirit here that lured Hamlet into the mansion...... middle of paper ......sion that the spirit might have good intentions as a "spirit of health" (1.4. 40) would have. Thus the Ghost in Hamlet is a “damned goblin” (1.4.40) from Hell with evil intentions. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Signet Classic, recently revised edition, 1998Salame, Ismail. 2011. “The contradictory nature of the ghost in Hamlet” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 2.2.2039-2117. Rated April 21, 2014. http://www.mcser.org/images/stories/2_journal/mjssmay2011/4.pdf Shmoop Editorial Team. “Hamlet Religion Quotes Page 1” Shmoop University, Inc. November 11, 2008. http://www.shmoop.com/hamlet/religion-quotes.html (accessed April 21, 2014). "Definition of madness in English:." madness: Definition of madness in the Oxford Dictionary (British and World English). http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/madness (accessed April 21, 2014).