Horatio

Salty

I'm having trouble trying to analyse the character of Horatio. Does anyone have any points about him? Even just 2/3 that could be developed into paragraphs in an essay. I'm aware that he probably wouldn't come up as an essay by himself, so any ideas?:)

Iceboy

If a question comes up on Horatio, it will more or likely be in comparison to Hamlet, so you will talk about his contribution to the play and his relationship wit Hamlet and how they influenced one another. Your opening should be something like this.

''Althouh Horatio does not do anything particularly memorable, or say something deeply meaningful, he nontheless emerges as a character of considerable substance. He is a Patriot and a scholar, a man respected for his knowledge, judgement and good sense. He is also to be admired for his honesty and loyalty. Horatio fulfills a number of important dramatic functions. It is he who informs Hamlet of the appearance of the ghost. He is Hamlet's confidant and friend, the one person with whom Hamlet can be open and honest. Horatio is the personification of the balanced personality that Hamlet so admires. He also acts as a spokesman or commentator on Danish affairs. Honest and true, he is a symbol of loyalty and integrity in the world of corruption and double dealing that is the danish court. Finally, at the close of the play when the royal family has been wiped out, Hortio lives on and is trusted by Hamlet to tell the Danish prince's story''

partyatmygaff

He's Hamlet's sole confidant and possibly his only true friend in the Danish court. He's an honest man and is respected by the Danish court due to him being a scholar.

You could also say that he offers an alternative pathway for Hamlet to communicate his thoughts. Hamlet normally does this through soliloquy but he also confides in Horatio. In fact, Horatio was the only person that Hamlet trusted enough to tell the message of the ghost.

There's not really all that much to say for him besides that. He isn't a very important character and it would be extremely unlikely for him to come up on his own in a question.

DaveMur1

A genral Horatio question would be lovely on his own.
Easy get 5/6 paragraphs.

Horatio acts as a spokesperson / commentator on Danish affairs.(Discuss , Norway , Hamlet in the hands of pirates)

Horatio is a key witness in identifying the ghost. (Discuss, scholar, meeting ghost,informing hamlet)

Horatio acts as Hamlet's confidant. ( This would be the easiest paragraph, any conversations between the two , quotes learned could be fitted in here easy.)

Horatio acts as a foil to Hamlet. ( admirable , role model , everything hamlet wishes he was.)

Horatio as a symbol of loyalty & integrity in a world where deception & false appearances mould the foundations of society. ( Discuss, patriot , devoted, genuine, noble .)

In the end Hamlet's tale could not live on without Horatio, ( Discuss, last meeting between the two & how Horatio later testifies to the nobility of Denmarks 'sweet prince'.)

Bbbbolger

Was going to answer myself but the last post has evrything you should need for a strong answer.

Salty

Thanks a mil! Brilliant points:) I wouldn't be surprised if a question popped up about Horatio and Laertes, seeing as there was already a question a few years ago about Gertrude and Ophelia.