[73] Sec Dyce's "Glossary," pp. 18, 19.

How thoroughly Shakespeare was acquainted with the system of witchcraft
is evident from the preceding pages, in which we have noticed his
allusions to most of the prominent forms of this species of
superstition. Many other items of witch-lore, however, are referred to
by him, mention of which is made in succeeding chapters.[74]

[74] "Notes to Macbeth" (Clark and Wright), pp. 81, 82.

CHAPTER III.

GHOSTS.

Few subjects have, from time immemorial, possessed a wider interest than
ghosts, and the superstitions associated with them in this and other
countries form an extensive collection in folk-lore literature. In
Shakespeare's day, it would seem that the belief in ghosts was specially
prevalent, and ghost tales were told by the firelight in nearly every
household. The young, as Mr. Goadby, in his "England of Shakespeare,"
says (1881, p. 196), "were thus touched by the prevailing superstitions
in their most impressionable years. They looked for the incorporeal
creatures of whom they had heard, and they were quick to invest any
trick of moonbeam shadow with the attributes of the supernatural." A
description of one of these tale-tellings is given in the "Winter's
Tale" (ii. 1):

"_Her._ What wisdom stirs amongst you? Come, sir, now
I am for you again: pray you, sit by us,
And tell's a tale.

_Mam._ Merry or sad shall't be?

_Her._ As merry as you will.

_Mam._ A sad tale's best for winter:
I have one of sprites and goblins.

_Her._ Let's have that, good sir.
Come on, sit down: Come on, and do your best
To fright me with your sprites: you're powerful at it.

_Mam._ There was a man,--

_Her._ Nay, come, sit down; then on.

_Mam._ Dwelt by a churchyard: I will tell it softly;
Yond crickets shall not hear it.

_Her._ Come on, then,
And give't me in mine ear."

The important part which Shakespeare has assigned to the ghost in
"Hamlet" has a special value, inasmuch as it illustrates many of the
old beliefs current in his day respecting their history and habits.
Thus, according to a popular notion, ghosts are generally supposed to
assume the exact appearance by which they were usually known when in the
material state, even to the smallest detail of their dress. So Horatio
tells Hamlet how, when Marc