The Character Horatio in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- Shakespeare Ham

The Character Horatio in Shakespeares HamletIn the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the confidant Horatio is created to serve a number of different purposes. Horatio is a tight character. He is a loyal, obedient, and trustworthy companion to Hamlet. His character does not undergo any 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 disbelief of the play. as well as for Horatio to be Hamlets ear so as to appease the audiences ear, and to communicate the moral of the play.Horatio serves often 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 watchmen only when he witnesses the ghost and regular 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 outrage 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 iciness (1.4.2), and verifies Hamlets belief that the ghost is wondrous strange (1.4.164). Horatio does not exaggerate about the length of the stay of the ghost. In 1.2, Horatio tells Hamlet that the ghost stayed in his presence for perhaps 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 an d Guildenstern, prompts Hamlet to disclose his feelings, gives vital information in the form of exposition (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 reply 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