Ghosts are a common trope in horror that has been explored in various forms of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, and books. According to TV Tropes, ghost stories typically feature supernatural entities that are the spirits of dead people. These entities can be malevolent or benevolent and can take on many different forms.
One of the earliest examples of a ghost story can be found in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1603), where the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to him and demands revenge. Another early example of a ghost story can be found in Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw (1898), where a governess becomes convinced that the children she is caring for are being haunted by the ghosts of their former caretakers.
According to American International Journal of Contemporary Research, ghost stories tap into our primal fears of death and the unknown. Ghosts are often depicted as vengeful spirits who seek revenge on the living, making them a formidable foe for any protagonist.
Cody Meirick on November 2, 2023