W. J. Lawrence, some years ago, attempted to prove that the Ghost in the first scene of Hamlet rose through the front trap. His conclusion was based on the argument that since Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo are seated on stools and are looking ahead, the only way “by which the Ghost could suddenly make itself visible to the three [is] by emerging in front of them through a trap.”[19]
The dialogue of the characters contradicts this theory, however. On the entrance of the Ghost, Marcellus cries:
Peace! break thee off! Look where it comes again!
Bern. In the same figure, like the King that’s dead....
Bern. See, it stalks away.
[I, i, 40-41, 50]
After the Ghost leaves the first time, Marcellus describes the visitations of the previous nights.
Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour,
With martial stalke, hath he gone by our watch.
[I, i, 65-66]