The Character Horatio in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- Shakespeare Ham

The Character Horatio in Shakespeares Ham permitIn the play juncture, by William Shakespeare, the confidant Horatio is created to serve a number of different purposes. Horatio is a flat character. He is a loyal, obedient, and trustworthy companion to Hamlet. His character does non undergo every significant transformation throughout the play, except that he serves as a witness of the death of Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude. Horatios role in the play seems to be as a utilitarian character that Shakespeare created in order to heighten the suspense of the play. Also for Horatio to be Hamlets ear so as to appease the audiences ear, and to communicate the moral of the play.Horatio serves oft as the voice of reason, for instance he is skeptical of the watchmans testimony that a ghost appeared during their watch in the previous night. Marcellus says of the watchmans testimony, Horatio says tis but our fantasy, / And will not let belief take hold of him (1.1.23-4). Horatio believes the wa tchmen only when he witnesses the ghost and even then is still skeptical. He is also the voice of reason when he asks Hamlet to restrain himself from meeting the ghost. He is afraid that Hamlet will hurt himself or go mad (1.4.63-91), finally telling Hamlet, Be ruled, you shall not go (1.4.81). Hamlet often seeks verification of events from Horatio as well. Horatio agrees with Hamlet, in 1.4, that the night is cold (1.4.2), and verifies Hamlets belief that the ghost is wondrous strange (1.4.164). Horatio does not exaggerate about the continuance of the stay of the ghost. In 1.2, Horatio tells Hamlet that the ghost stayed in his presence for possibly a hundreth (1.2.137), followed by Marcellus and Barnardos utterance, Longer, longer (1.2... ...he allegiances for power that lead to death. Horatio is the only victor, for he did not plot, and remains alive to tell this tragedy to others. Horatio is Shakespeares utilitarian character. Horatio serves as a foil to Rosencrantz and Guilde nstern, prompts Hamlet to disclose his feelings, gives vital information in the form of interpretation (verbal or in a letter) or verification of Hamlets reality, and helps to build the suspense of the play. The only emotional aspect of his character is that he remains alive, and serves as a vehicle for Shakespeares moral of Hamlet.Works Cited and ConsultedBerman, Allison. We Only Find Ourselves. Hamlet reaction papers. Wynnewood FCS, 2000.Lugo, Michael. The Character Horatio. Hamlet reaction papers. Wynnewood FCS, 2000.Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. 1600? Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York Signet Classic, 1998