Shakespeare's Hamlet, known for its examination of deception and betrayal, presents a set of characters trapped in a web of lies and murder. The ghost of Hamlet's father, who puzzles and eventually drives Hamlet to madness by placing the burden of revenge on his shoulders, defines the problematic plot of the tragedy. However, Horatio, Hamlet's schoolmate and best friend, does not suffer the tragic ending that most of the characters do because of his function as the only reliable and honorable source in the play. In part, Shakespeare restricts Horatio's involvement with the turmoil that occurs by connecting him to the issues only through Hamlet; Horatio is therefore not completely entangled with the problems that other characters must experience.
[...] While procrastination and indecision plague Hamlet, Horatio is rational in his thoughts and actions and does not allow passion to drive him or fortune to play him. To Hamlet, such a man is worthy, as is Horatio, of being in [his] heart's core” (III 72). Nevertheless, such are the characteristics become most desirable to Hamlet, given the challenging dilemma the Prince faces and his need for a clear plan to avenge his father's murder. Since Horatio is the only character in the play that possesses such qualities, he is the only one worthy of being Hamlet's true ally. [...]
[...] Thus, since a man as skeptical, intelligent, and trustworthy as Horatio comes to believe in the ghost, it becomes more convincing that the ghost is not merely a figment of the watchmen's imaginations. Nevertheless, Horatio's role as harbinger of truth is especially significant at the end of the play when it becomes clear that Shakespeare crafted him "to tell [Hamlet's] story” 352). Instead of committing suicide, as he desires, in the dehumanizing slaughter that takes place in the final scene, Hamlet instructs Horatio to remain alive for the purpose of legitimizing Hamlet's actions and clearing his “wounded name” 345). [...]
[...] He sees the ghost as a supernatural omen indicating that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” and this undoubtedly has the potential to cause great destruction 90). As it happens, something is in fact rotten; it is King Hamlet's murder that brings about the ghost and in turn devastation. Horatio goes onto compare the ghost to the signs that supposedly warned of Julius Caesar's assassination in ancient Rome, bringing up the major topic of death. Consequently, when the ghost beckons Hamlet, Horatio, demonstrating concern for his friend, pleads ruled. [...]
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