Hamlet's emotional state before the appearance of the ghost. The recent events in Denmark appear to have deeply troubled Hamlet. His first appearance in the play during scene two depicts a depressed and bitter young man. The text notes make special mention to Hamlet's conspicuous black attire or in his words, "inky cloak" in an effort to suggest that he is still mourning the sudden death of his father. Even his uncle, the king recognises Hamlet's despondent state and asks, "How is it the clouds still hang on you?" Both Claudius and Gertrude appear to have finished mourning their brother...
refers to Denmark as an "unweeded garden" and to the Danish drinking habits exclaiming to Horatio, "We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart."

As the heir to the throne Hamlet realises that all his actions will be scrutinised by the king for possible sedition, thus he hides his anger, grief and bitterness behind a fast-retort sardonic wit and a generally morose appearance. Until the appearance of Horatio, Hamlet also seems to be very lonely. Barred from returning to his friends in Wittenburg and emotionally severed from his mother, Hamlet is left to ponder his sorrows in self-pity.