Arguments for the ghost being real:
* The play treats the ghost as a real entity. Other characters see and interact with the ghost, not just Hamlet. This adds credibility to its existence.
* The ghost has a tangible effect on events. The ghost's revelations spur Hamlet to action, leading to a chain of events that results in numerous deaths.
* The ghost has specific knowledge and purpose. It reveals secrets of the past and demands revenge, suggesting a genuine desire to influence the present.
Arguments for the ghost being a figment of Hamlet's imagination:
* Hamlet's mental state is unstable. He's already grieving and prone to melancholy. The ghost could be a manifestation of his guilt, anger, and desire for justice.
* The play emphasizes the unreliability of Hamlet's perspective. His famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy questions the nature of reality itself. This could suggest that the ghost is part of his internal turmoil.
* The ghost's purpose seems to serve Hamlet's own desires. The ghost's demands coincide perfectly with Hamlet's own feelings of revenge.
Ultimately, the interpretation is up to the individual.
* A realist might view the ghost as a supernatural force.
* A psychological interpretation might see the ghost as a symbol of Hamlet's inner turmoil.
Shakespeare's ambiguity allows for both interpretations, and this open-endedness is a key part of the play's enduring appeal.