Horatio and Hamlet

Paper Summary:

The paper portrays how the relationship between Horatio and Hamlet, in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet", is based on extraordinary trust and confidence. The paper illustrates how Horatio is genuinely interested in Hamlet's welfare and Hamlet recognizes this, thus even in the midst of his lunatic fits, Hamlet doesn't fail to praise Horatio for his selfless devotion. The paper notes that a striking feature of their relationship is the secrecy and privacy of information that Hamlet demands and Horatio readily respects. The paper also shows how Horatio's concern is genuine but his protection style is passive which shows maturity and respect.

From the Paper:

"It is in the very beginning of the play, Act I, Scene II, that we realize what this relationship means as the strength of it becomes evident when Horatio encounters the apparition of Hamlet's father and feels that Hamlet must be told. Even though Horatio understands that this information could be both painful and dangerous for the very fragile Hamlet, still he wants him to know since the information could be of significance. Horatio fully recognizes the repercussions of communicating this information since he has seen such visions leading to murder and conflicts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blake, W. (1972) 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell', in Blake: Complete Writings, ed. G. Keynes. London: Oxford University Press, 148-60.
• Cayley, D. (1992) Ivan Illich in Conversation. Concord, Ontario: Anansi
• Emerson, R.W. (1876) The Complete Works, Vol. 1. London: George Bell & Sons.
• Lewis, C.S. (1960) The Four Loves. London: Geoffrey Bles.
• Rangell, L (1963) 'On friendship', Journal of American Psychoanalytic Association, 11: 3-54.

More papers on Horatio and Hamlet:

• Analytical Essay # 133558 : "Shakespeare as Horatio in "Hamlet"
• Analytical Essay # 6822 : "Hamlet" and the Women"
• Analytical Essay # 22572 : "Horatio"

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