Horatio Influence On Hamlet
Hannah Gropper
December 10, 2007
World Lit 10-5/Spencer
The Influence of Horatio
In Hamlet, the character of Horatio shapes Hamlet, and essentially the story line, more than any other character. Many would perceive Horatio as simply a foil for Hamlet, but he is much more. He is Hamlet’s sole confidante and friend in the play.
Horatio is a very intelligent and learned man and he enjoys thinking and logic. What Horatio tells Hamlet throughout the play is nearly always exactly what Hamlet needs to hear. He gives Hamlet the stable and rational mind to lean on and to interpret the world through. While Hamlet is quick and very frequently haphazard in making a decision, Horatio is his right hand man that he turns to. When he is confused …show more content…
Give me that man
That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of hear,
As I do thee. (III.ii.57-65)
Horatio is Hamlet’s rational and stable side of himself. Hamlet confides in Horatio and Horatio takes in all the information Hamlet gives him with an unwavering sense of understanding. He does not allow himself to be carried away by emotions, as Hamlet says, “Horatio, thou are e’en as just a man / As e’er my conversation coped withal” (III.ii.45-6).
Horatio gives many of Hamlet’s actions validity. Without his presence, the audience would be much more inclined to question what Hamlet is doing and the truth to what he has seen. If Horatio had not been present when Hamlet had seen the ghost, it is quite likely that Hamlet in fact would have been considered without a doubt insane by the audience. Having someone there who is so grounded and stable, such as Horatio, proves Hamlet is seeing a real ghost. Horatio even speaks to the ghost giving it true concrete proof that he was there. Horatio is not scared of him like his companions when he
December 10, 2007
World Lit 10-5/Spencer
The Influence of Horatio
In Hamlet, the character of Horatio shapes Hamlet, and essentially the story line, more than any other character. Many would perceive Horatio as simply a foil for Hamlet, but he is much more. He is Hamlet’s sole confidante and friend in the play.
Horatio is a very intelligent and learned man and he enjoys thinking and logic. What Horatio tells Hamlet throughout the play is nearly always exactly what Hamlet needs to hear. He gives Hamlet the stable and rational mind to lean on and to interpret the world through. While Hamlet is quick and very frequently haphazard in making a decision, Horatio is his right hand man that he turns to. When he is confused …show more content…
Give me that man
That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of hear,
As I do thee. (III.ii.57-65)
Horatio is Hamlet’s rational and stable side of himself. Hamlet confides in Horatio and Horatio takes in all the information Hamlet gives him with an unwavering sense of understanding. He does not allow himself to be carried away by emotions, as Hamlet says, “Horatio, thou are e’en as just a man / As e’er my conversation coped withal” (III.ii.45-6).
Horatio gives many of Hamlet’s actions validity. Without his presence, the audience would be much more inclined to question what Hamlet is doing and the truth to what he has seen. If Horatio had not been present when Hamlet had seen the ghost, it is quite likely that Hamlet in fact would have been considered without a doubt insane by the audience. Having someone there who is so grounded and stable, such as Horatio, proves Hamlet is seeing a real ghost. Horatio even speaks to the ghost giving it true concrete proof that he was there. Horatio is not scared of him like his companions when he