Horatio
Extended Character Analysis
Horatio is Hamlet’s friend and serves as Hamlet’s confidante throughout the play. Unlike Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and even Ophelia, Horatio is the one person who never betrays Hamlet. His loyalty is so strong that he even intends to take his own life so that he does not have to live without Hamlet. However, Hamlet prevents him from doing so, instead asking Horatio to remain alive so that he can tell the story of what happened and clear Hamlet’s “wounded name.” Scholars have drawn connections between Horatio’s name and the Latin word ōrātor, which means “speaker,” viewing his name as appropriate given his role as the speaker of Hamlet’s story.
Throughout the play, Horatio is an outsider. His position within the court is never specified, and the Dramatis Personae refers to him simply as “friend of Hamlet.” He lives up to this title by taking risks to aid Hamlet’s plans and keeping Hamlet’s secrets. Hamlet expresses a deep admiration for Horatio, citing his good judgement and refusal to be “passions’ slave” as virtues. The stoic and unwavering Horatio serves as a contrast to Hamlet, who is prone to being overcome by strong emotions. Horatio is also a philosopher and scholar, but unlike Hamlet he does not allow himself to dwell overlong on the ambiguities of life. Instead, he stays firmly grounded in reality, devoting himself to Hamlet’s cause without questioning the prince’s decisions.
Horatio’s rationality serves as a means of establishing whether certain elements of the play are reality or illusion. The guards initially call upon Horatio to witness the ghost, citing his status as a scholar. Horatio’s ability to see the ghost establishes the reality of its presence for readers. When Hamlet becomes unreliable in his apparent madness, Horatio remains a tether to reality, offering verification for what otherwise may come across as the ramblings of a madman. He helps Hamlet observe Claudius during the play and confirms his reaction, grounding Hamlet’s suspicions and the ghost's claims in reality. His absence is notable during Hamlet’s confrontation with Gertrude in her closet, where Hamlet sees the ghost but Gertrude does not.
In addition to confirming the more supernatural elements of the play, Horatio also serves as a reminder that Hamlet’s madness, as least initially, is an act. Horatio is the only person that Hamlet reveals his plan to, and his refusal to decry Hamlet as a madman gives readers the option to view Hamlet’s madness as either fake or real. By one reading, Horatio’s loyalty overrides his rationality, and he fails to notice that Hamlet has genuinely gone mad. By another reading, Horatio is the only character who can truly see Hamlet as he is. By the end of the play, he is the only character left capable of dispelling all of the misunderstandings surrounding Hamlet’s story.
Expert Q&A
How is Horatio a foil to Hamlet?
Horatio is a foil to Hamlet because he is calm, rational, and level-headed, contrasting Hamlet's impulsiveness and emotional decisions. Horatio offers sound advice and perceives consequences, while Hamlet hesitates and acts on emotion. Unlike Hamlet, Horatio is trustworthy and not driven by revenge. His consistent rationality and empathy highlight Hamlet's flaws and emotional turmoil throughout the play.
What quotes demonstrate Horatio's loyalty in Hamlet?
Horatio's loyalty to Prince Hamlet is underscored through various quotes in Shakespeare's "Hamlet". He proves his dedication by keeping Hamlet's secrets ("In faith, my lord, not I" Act I, Scene 5, line 145), watching Claudius at Hamlet's request ("Well, my lord. If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft" Act III, Scene 2, lines 81-83), and even considering suicide upon Hamlet's death ("Never believe it. I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here's yet some liquor left" Act V, Scene 2, lines 336-38).
How does Horatio's attitude towards the ghost in Hamlet's opening scene change after he sees it?
Initially, Horatio is skeptical about the existence of the ghost, dismissing it as fantasy. However, upon witnessing it himself, his attitude shifts to one of fear and wonder. The ghost's appearance fills him with foreboding, prompting him to seek its message for Denmark's fate. Horatio's change from disbelief to concern highlights the ghost's ominous presence and sets a dark tone for the play, emphasizing its significance to the state and its potential warnings.
Why does Horatio contemplate suicide and how does Hamlet dissuade him?
Horatio contemplates suicide due to the despair of losing his friend Hamlet and witnessing the chaos and death around him. Hamlet dissuades him by appealing to his loyalty, asking him to stay alive to tell Hamlet's true story and preserve his honor. Hamlet's request gives Horatio a purpose, convincing him to endure the pain of survival for his friend's legacy.
In Act 1 of Hamlet, what is the impact of Horatio's ghost news?
Horatio's news about the ghost significantly impacts Hamlet, unsettling him and sparking suspicion of foul play. Initially skeptical, Hamlet questions Horatio to verify the ghost's identity, revealing his growing concern over the ghost's appearance in armor. The news prompts Hamlet to join the watch, leading to his encounter with the ghost and the revelation of his father's murder by his uncle, thus setting the plot in motion.
In Act 3 of Hamlet, what is the purpose of the scene with Horatio?
The scene with Horatio in Act 3 of Hamlet serves to establish Horatio as a trustworthy observer. Hamlet asks Horatio to watch King Claudius during the "Mousetrap" play to see if he reacts guiltily to the reenactment of King Hamlet's murder. This scene underscores Hamlet's methodical approach and need for confirmation of Claudius's guilt, as Horatio's observations will help determine if the ghost's accusations are true.
Why is it crucial for Horatio to survive and narrate Hamlet's story? What does the court know?
Horatio's survival is crucial to narrate Hamlet's story because he is a trusted friend who witnessed key events, such as the ghost of Hamlet's father and Claudius's reaction to the "mousetrap" play. In a corrupt court, Horatio stands out as a rational and honest figure, uninvolved in the intrigues. Without him, the true story of the deaths and Hamlet's actions would remain unknown to the court and future generations.
Does Horatio's love for Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet surpass brotherly love?
Horatio's love for Hamlet is one of deep friendship rather than surpassing brotherly love or suggesting a romantic bond. Horatio is portrayed as a loyal and trusted friend, contrasting with the disloyal Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He supports Hamlet through various trials and remains devoted until the end, even contemplating suicide upon Hamlet's death. His affection and loyalty are evident throughout the play, culminating in his final tribute, "good night, sweet prince."
In Hamlet, what is Horatio's purpose and how does he convey the theme?
In Hamlet, Horatio's purpose is to be a loyal friend and confidant to Hamlet, providing someone trustworthy for Hamlet to share his plans with, thereby revealing key plot details to the audience. He conveys themes of loyalty and madness by corroborating the ghost's existence, assisting in confirming Claudius's guilt, and remaining a steadfast moral anchor throughout the play.
Horatio's Perspective on the Ghost in Hamlet
In Hamlet, Horatio's initial skepticism about the ghost's existence is overturned after witnessing it, leading him to believe in its reality. He interprets the ghost's appearance as an ominous sign, drawing parallels to historical events like Julius Caesar's assassination, suggesting disruptions in the state. Horatio lists several reasons for the ghost's presence: unresolved issues, warnings of future events, or attachment to earthly treasures. Ultimately, he sees the ghost as a harbinger of tragedy for Denmark.
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