Character Analysis Of Horatio In Shakespeares Hamlet

In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Horatio is Hamlet’s confidant as he plots revenge against King Claudius, the murderer of King Hamlet. He listens to Hamlet’s secrets without revealing them to the other characters. He is essentially the keeper of all truth. Unlike the other characters, Horatio seems to be the only character that Hamlet could trust without fearing that he would betray him. He is known for his logic and sanity, which is the complete opposite of Hamlet’s impulsive behavior. Although subtle, Horatio’s personality traits allow the audience to understand Hamlet’s mind in depth. Due to this, Hamlet is comfortable giving Horatio awareness of his plans to avenge his father. Despite his minor role, his friendship with Hamlet reveals†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, The loyal Horatio swears to Hamlet as his close friend dies of poison, which indicates his deep friendship with Hamlet. As Horatio notices that Hamlet is about to die, he states, â€Å" Never believe it. / I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. / Here’s yet some liquor left† (V.2.323-325). Horatio does not want to continue living if his close friend dies. Moreover, he wants to commit suicide so that he can keep Hamlet’s secret of his insanity. If he dies, no one else would have the knowledge of Hamlet’s plan to kill his uncle. In Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Hamlet, the audience may notice that Horatio is holding the poisoned cup while Hamlet is on the ground, dying (Branagh). Horatio is having a difficult time accepting that Hamlet will die soon, and that he will no longer have a purpose of living if his friend dies. However, as soon as Horatio places the tip of the cup near his mouth, Hamlet urges him not to, causing Horatio to drop the poiso ned cup (Branagh). If Horatio did, then whoever arrives in the castle would not understand how everyone died. Therefore, the dying Hamlet wants Horatio to live so that he can tell the audience about Hamlet’s side of the story. Thus, Horatio ends up becoming the playwright of Hamlet. With his loyalty to Hamlet and his eyewitness account of the events that happened while Hamlet is alive, he is able to re-tell Fortinbras exactly how HamletShow MoreRelatedDifferent Types Of Friendship By Aristotle1178 Words   |  5 Pagesloyalty in Shakespeare’s masterpieces, especially in his tragedies. Various characters seem to be close friends with the main character in the beginning of plays but usually reveal their true opinions on them or disappear because of their lack of loyalty. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the characters spend a lot of time betraying one another for their own gain. Characters such as Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Claudius, and Gertrude, are not loyal to Hamle t. 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