Horatio

Horatio

1. Shown to be logical, level headed and wise- His scepticism helps persuade us. Shakespeare deliberately does not give Horatio much of a role in the play's events as it helps to maintain his chorus-like function-Chorus used in greek plays to narrate play and comment on dramatic events.

   • 'Twill not appear
     • His scepticism represents the audiences perspective. He remains impartial- grounding the lay into reality
   • 'You tremble and look pale'
     • Despite his rationalism even he has gone pale at the sight of the ghost. Because of this his testimony is more convincing then what the superstitious watchmen say.
   • 'This bodes some strange eruption to our state'
     • He is voicing the concerns of the danish people at a time of political change- Relates to King James' acession.
   • 'and do in part believe it'
     • He doesn't give up all his scepticimsm when the ghost leaves- maintaining his rational views- only partly believes in it so theme of uncertainty evolves
   • He presents a limited but succinct and honest view of the whole action.

2. He is modest and truly loves Hamlet- only person in the play who does not have his own agenda- he is there to show a genuine goodness which contrasts with the cunning deceptive nature of the other characters.

   • 'O my dear lord'
     • Modest in taking compliments- Characteristically he says nothing- his unwavering loyalty is shown in his impulsive attempt at suicide when Hamlet Dies.
   • 'whose blood and judgement are so well co-meddled'
     • Passion and reason are so well joined- idea there needs to be a balance of emotion and logic- one which Hamlets tearing emotions have disreputed. Hamlet admires Horatio's self control.
     • Elizabethans strongly believed in Balance- which allows you to overcome anything- otherwise you were a 'pipe for Fortunes finger../ To sound what stop she please'. Fortune is personified as feminine- and having a pipe shows level of control women have over men- blame women for misfortune
   • He is respected by Hamlet because he is not only faithful, but uncomprimisigly truthful- the opposite of a flatterer who misuses and manipulates with language- rather he is clear and direct in the few words he says.

3. Hamlet's closest friend. Consistently loyal throughout the play . All of Hamlet's other relationships are damaged.

   • 'one man picked out of ten thousand'
     • This is because he is the only man out of all of them who is not affected by corruption in the court.
   • 'I am more an antique Roman than a Dane, here's yet some liquor left'
     • Even when he offers to commit suicide it is done motivated by a sense of honour and duty- as the romans are thought to do- rather than overpowering grief.
     • After Hamlet's death, Horatio was willing to take his own life alongside Hamlet, but Hamlet tells him not to in order to tell Fortinbras his story
       • Horatio uses a metaphor to compare himself to a Roman, as they would be ready to commit suicide when there was a disaster that had occurred. University students like Hamlet and Horatio who went to the growing number of grammar schools studied mainly Latin, this was spoken all over Europe and it allowed young men, and wealthy women, to converse whatever their first language.
   • In Greek, Horatio means guardian. He is someone whose integrity the audience can rely upon.
   • "Horatio is the harbinger of truth"
   • Throughout the play, most characters betray one another for their own personal gain. However, Horatio is Hamlet's one true friend and stays loyal to him throughout
     • This contrasts to Hamlet's other friends, R+G, they are turned against Hamlet by Claudius, and are given the job of finding out more about Hamlet's madness, and eventually killing him
   • Ham-"Never to speak of this that you have seen. Swear by my sword"
     • Hamlet makes Horatio swear that he will keep his secret. Horatio keeps to his word, even when Hamlet's madness begins to seem real
   • "Well my lord. If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, and "scape detecting, I will pay the theft."
     • Horatio is agreeing to help Hamlet with this plan to determine if Claudius killed Old Hamlet. Horatio's loyalty is emphasised here as he helps with the plan, instead of reporting it. He risks a lot in order to help Hamlet, which proves that there is no selfish motives behind his loyalty.

4. Horatio and the ghost

   • "He is the scholar well versed in classical and recent Danish history, a natural leader to whim the others have turned to for advice. His skepticism is never unkind"
   • Horatio is presented as knowledgable and rational; he didn't believe in the ghost until he saw it. His rational personality enables the audience to understand his discomfort when he finally sees the ghost
   • "Tush, tush, 'twill not appear"
     • Our first impressions of Horatio are made, we identify of Horatio are made, we identity with him at this point, as we don't believe there could be a ghost either. The phrase "tush tush" makes him seem calm, collected and in control of the situation
   • "Thou art a scholar. Speak to it, Horatio."
     • The other guards look to Horatio for reassurance, suggesting his courage. We also find out that Horatio is well educated and well respected; all guards wish for him to speak to the ghost, as they are too afraid, and think he will know how to handle the situation. This is shown when he suggests that they should go and get Hamlet -he understands what the ghost wants
   • "I have heard the cock, that is the trumpet to the morn"
     • Horatio personifies the sunrise, and uses the noun "trumpet" to describe the crock crow, making it seem grand and showing his has a great respect for it
   • Ghosts of people who return to earth after death were called revenants. Belief in ghosts was widespread across early modern Europe, and it was thought revenant returned to earth to right a wrong that was done to them. Hamlet's father returned to earth as he wishes for revenge on his killer. Belief in ghosts, like the belief in purgatory or witchcraft suggests that Catholicism had not been wiped from people's minds by the arrival of Protestantism in the Reformation