Hamlet Horatio Characteristics

Horatio is an intelligent and insightful man, relentless, rational, placid, a messenger of truth, and Hamlet’s one true confidant. He plays a minor role in the play, nonetheless, he is of the utmost importance to Hamlet as well as being admired by many readers. He feels deeply for Hamlet and loves him with everything he is capable of, as he would never try to control or influence him like so many do. Hamlet has a deep friendship with Horatio and praises him for all the honorable qualities that he posses, while trying to learn from him what he lacks, like self control and the virtue of truth. The faithfulness of Horatio is so strong that while Hamlet is there dying, Horatio is ready to commit suicide so that he will not have to live without
When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to Denmark they show that they are very loyal to Claudius, but they do not show that same quality quite as much when it comes to Hamlet. Horatio is a loyal and faithful person in general, those are two qualities that he carries naturally, but at the same time he is most loyal to his good friend Hamlet and he would never put Claudius before his friend. In the play, not only do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern demonstrate loyalty to Claudius but they too show that they are a prime example of a suck up “But we both obey, and here give up ourselves, in the full bent to lay our service freely at your feet.” (2.2.31-34). They do whatever Claudius tells them to, even if it could potentially ruin their friendship with Hamlet, which it does as well as getting them killed. Whether or not they know what Claudius’ intentions are when he sends them to spy on Hamlet, they still do it without any question and they are never truly there for him in his time of need. While Horatio is there for him every moment, as a companion and an example, he never once strays from Hamlet and Hamlet never feels as if he needs to question Horatio because he knows his intentions and where his heart