evoking the themes of identity, uncertainty and existence which indicate that this is a reflective play, often with more emphasis on thought and speech than on action. The information that it is midnight reinforces setting, with ideas of night and darkness and the associated themes of secrecy/deception. It also introduces the concept of “balance” between two opposites: the play begins at the point between one day and another, a literal representation of this “balance” between key themes and motifs such as day/night, words/actions, physical/spiritual and appearance/reality. Lines 15–117: Marcellus brings Horatio to witness an “apparition” that he and the sentinels have previously seen, as Horatio thinks they have imagined the whole thing. Barnardo begins to describe a previous encounter when the ghost appears. Commenting on its resemblance to the late king, they urge it to speak, but the ghost leaves in silence. Shaken, Horatio says that he would not believe it “Without the sensible and true avouch”
