And then it started, like a guilty thing / Upon a fearful summons.
Act I, Scene 1 · Horatio
Context
Horatio interprets the Ghost's reaction to the cock's crow, comparing its sudden retreat to that of a guilty person responding to an accusation or summons.
Analysis
The simile 'like a guilty thing' applies moral language to the Ghost, as if it has done something wrong and is fleeing judgment. The phrase 'fearful summons' evokes a legal or divine call to account, suggesting the cock's crow is not just a signal of dawn but a form of authority. By making the Ghost seem guilty, Horatio opens the question of whether it is a damned spirit rather than the wronged king it appears to be.
Essay Tip
Support a thesis that Horatio's language subtly undermines the Ghost's credibility—by comparing it to 'a guilty thing,' he introduces the possibility that the Ghost is not a victim seeking justice but something fleeing rightful judgment.