Hamlet 1.1

1. Summary
The scene begins with Fransisco on guard duty at the castle of the king of Denmark. Bernardo and Fransisco are swapping places as guards when Marcellus comes up with Horatio to show him the ghost the guards have all seen on previous nights. They see the ghost of the late King Hamlet. Horatio tries to speak to it after being encouraged by the guards to make it speak, but it will not respond. Horatio allows the guards to try hitting the ghost after it does not respond, but they feel as though they mocked its presence, which caused it to leave. After discussing what they had just seen they decide they must bring young Hamlet to see the ghost and try to speak to it.
2. Quote
I think the most significant lines in this scene are lines 60-62 which say "Before my God, I might not this believe without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes." This line establishes a character trait of Horatio, that he is practical and will only believe things he can see. Horatio being established as a practical character hints at a possible theme of the novel, practicality versus belief.
3. Questions
Is this ghost real or are they all just imagining it? Why is the dead king's ghost appearing? What is the significance in the cock crowing? Is the ghost's appearance a kind of omen, or sign of something bad soon to come?