What better way to celebrate Halloween than by exploring literature’s most famous ghosts? For centuries, writers have been inspired by otherworldly realms and by the creatures and spirits that dwell within them. From friendly phantoms and awesome apparitions to ghoulish ghosts, shadowy spectres, and wicked wraiths, countless spirits have haunted readers throughout the ages.
The Origins of Halloween
According to legend, on Hallows Eve night, the veil between the worlds lies thin and the living and the dead may communicate more easily. Many people today aren’t aware of the origins of Halloween. It originated as a Celtic pagan festival, known as Samhain, more than 2,000 years ago, marking the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. In the 9th Century, the Western Church named 1st November as All Saint’s Day (later All Souls Day) and this is thought to be the origin of the modern Halloween. Though Halloween has since become a fun-packed night of trick or treating, dressing up in frightening costumes and partying (driven in part by American consumerism) it is important to remember its roots.
Literary ghosts throughout the ages
This list includes many famous literary ghosts, starting with Shakespeare’s phantoms in the Seventeenth Century and finishing with J. K. Rowling’s entertaining spirits in the Twentieth and Twenty-First.
Hamlet’s Father: Hamlet (1603)
“I am thy father's spirit, Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night.”
Hamlet is considered one of the most powerful literary works of all time. Exploring a multitude of complex themes, it is an exceptional though tragic tale. Integral to the plot is the ghost of Hamlet’s late father, simply referred to as ‘Ghost’ in the stage directions, whose presence serves as a catalyst for Hamlet’s actions. Though the ghost only makes four appearances in the play, it has a powerful influence over the entire plot.
Banquo: Macbeth (1623)
“Never shake/Thy gory locks at me.”
Banquo appears as a bloodied vision at Macbeth’s coronation feast. Invisible to all but Macbeth, it appears that the newly crowned king has simply turned mad when he inquires who has taken his place at the table. On seeing the ghost, Macbeth bids the spirit not to ‘shake thy gory locks’. His horrified reaction reveals the deep-seated guilt he suffers for murdering his noble best friend.
The Headless Horseman: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1828)
‘The spectre is known, at all the country firesides, by the name of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.’
The Headless Horseman has appeared in many myths and legends since the Middle Ages. The Horseman is a spirit who is said to terrorize the real-life village of Sleepy Hollow. In Washington Irving’s short story, the spirit appears to Ichabod Crane as he rides home one evening. The Horseman pursues him and Ichabod is never seen again.
Past, Present and Future (and Jacob Marley): A Christmas Carol (1843)
‘Scrooge feared the silent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him.’
When we think of literary ghosts, Dickens’ three Christmas spirits immediately spring to mind. From the flickering, child-like Ghost of Christmas Past, to the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present and the silent, hooded Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Each ghost has a role to play in helping the protagonist, Ebeneezer Scrooge, to change his ways and improve his life. Not to be forgotten is the ghost of Jacob Marley, who appears at the beginning of the book draped in chains. The chains represent the burdens of his life, which he lived in greed and deceit alongside his business partner Scrooge. He appears to Scrooge to warn him of the same fate and to tell him that he will be visited by three ghosts.
Miss Jessel and Peter Quince: The Turn of the Screw (1898)
These two ghosts appear as strange and disturbing figures in Henry James’ gothic novel, Turn of the Screw. As in many ghostly tales, the question is whether the ghosts real or simply figments of the protagonist’s (a governess at Bly House) imagination. She keeps seeing the ghosts in the house and garden and later learns that Quince is possessing the spirit of her young pupil, Miles.
Rebecca: Rebecca (1938)
“Rebecca's power had dissolved into the air, like the mist had done. She would never haunt me again.”
Though not strictly speaking a ghost, Rebecca’s presence haunts the pages of Daphne du Maurier’s most famous novel. She was the first wife of Maxim de Winter, before her tragic death. Mr de Winter’s new wife, recently moved into his home called Manderlay, feels her presence everywhere. She feels she cannot live up to the perfect Rebecca, though soon learns that the first Mrs de Winter was not all that she seemed.
The Woman in Black: The Woman in Black (1983)
“I have seen whatever ghost haunts Eel Marsh and that burial ground. A woman in black with a wasted face.”
A mysterious figure haunts a small English town, referred to as the Woman in Black. The locals believe that seeing her presages the death of a child. The malicious spirit actively causes the deaths of many children as revenge for having watched her own child die. She feels wronged but nothing can be done to placate her. She is a horrifying figure who sends chills down the spines of all those who read about her.
Beloved: Beloved (1987)
‘“We have a ghost in here," she said.’
Beloved is the ghost of a child killed by another character Sethe. Her attempt to save her from a fate of slavery soon turns against her. Her spirit haunts the house where she lives with her other daughter and eventually reappears in the flesh as a young woman. Beloved is vengeful and becomes a catalyst to bring family trauma to light and trigger madness.
Hogwarts' Ghosts: Harry Potter series (1997)
Last but not least, the ghosts of Hogwarts. Unlike many named on this list, most of J. K. Rowlings ghosts are friendly, approachable beings. From the charming Sir Nicholas (otherwise known as Nearly Headless Nick) to the chaotic Peeves the Poltergeist, and poor Moaning Myrtle, the ghosts of Hogwarts are nothing short of entertaining. Nine individually named ghosts appear in the books, though not all feature in the films: Moaning Myrtle, The Grey Lady, The Bloody Baron, The Fat Friar, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (Nearly Headless Nick), Professor Cuthbert Binns, and Peeves.
Halloween Hauntings
Humans love unravelling mysteries and ghost stories (or stories that feature ghosts) are a way to do just that. We love to experience different emotions and stretch our minds to consider the possibility of another dimension beyond our own. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply enjoy a fictional tale, we hope these literary ghosts have inspired you to read a spooky story this Halloween.
Can you think of any other literary ghosts?
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