Horatio's Trustworthiness example essay topic

Horatio is the one significant character at the end of the play, chosen to reveal to the world the real "story" (V. ii. 302) of the events in and around the Danish court. This last demand of the tragic hero implies the view of Horatio as a man of moral integrity and honesty. This thought is also based on some of his replies to the protagonist.

"I came to see your father's funeral" (I. ii. 176) is the direct and clear answer to Hamlet's question about the reason for his visit. And again in the last scene of the first act, he honestly tells the Prince of Denmark about his "wild and whirling words" (I. i. 138), without holding back or making any other unnecessary comment.

Another aspect, underlining his credibility becomes obvious in Hamlet's plan to catch the King. Horatio's "I did very well note him" (I. ii. 274), is enough for Hamlet to go on with his revenge plan. And besides the prince also the older soldiers call out for his experience and knowledge as a scholar, which is a remarkable sign for his reliability.

Against these passages, his description of the ghost appears more dubious. In his first attempt to convince Hamlet about the ghost's very nature, he said, he saw Hamlet's father "once" (I. ii. 185). Then only a few lines later he states that he can identify the Old King as good as his own "hands" (I. ii.

212). Though weighed against the other points, this argument cannot diminish Horatio's trustworthiness. And the fact, that he doesn't become guilty in any of the many conflicts during the play, is a final mark for his trustworthiness. This first view on Horatio's qualities already indicates a stability of character. From the first scene on, Horatio appears as a man of thought, whose actions are guided mainly rational. In the beginning he remains sceptical towards the ghost and believes, that " 'twill not appear" (I. i.

29). But once he has seen it, he is not afraid to face it and persuades it to "speak" (I. i. 114) about Denmark's future. In his attitude towards the supernatural being he is not influenced by irrational fear, but he stays courageous, objective and open minded, which adds to his strength of character as well. He is a realistic observer, who reports the events as they appear.

In comparison of the passages, when Horatio is on stage with Hamlet to those, where he is apart from him, another facet of his personality evolves. When he is not with Hamlet, he appears more eloquent and active. In Hamlet's presence he merely takes on a passive part, to listen and observe and follows his lead. Very seldom he shares all of his knowledge or his own thoughts about the situation. Most of the times he holds back parts of it and remains quiet, although he has a better understanding of the situation. Just before the most tragic point in the drama, this idea finds its highest expression, when he breaks out of his passive pattern: He anticipates the life threatening scenario and warns the Prince, that he "will lose this wager" (V. ii.

156). This is the one point in the drama, where Horatio is one step further than Hamlet and almost lets him appear superior just before the death of his friend. The main strength of Horatio's personality, comes out through Hamlet's description of his companion as a man, that is superior to suffering. This enables him to be "not a pipe for Fortune's finger" ( . ii. 65) and brings him to the point, where he is "not passion's slave" ( . ii.

67). These lines show that Horatio has reached the ideal state of freedom from emotional upheaval, what Hamlet always longs for, but neither can at that point nor until the end of the play ever accomplish. And it is only in the very last moments of the play, where Horatio's stability and firmness is endangered, when he almost gives in to the confusion of his feelings and the grief. However, the fact that he overcomes this point of senselessness in his life, even emphasises his solid personality. These points show, that Horatio is a man, whose character cannot be shaken nor influenced by his environment. He remains balanced and honest until the end.

Remington, Michael. Hamlet: A User's Guide. London: Nick Hern Books Ltd, 1996 States, Bert O. Hamlet and the Concept of Character. London: The John Hopkins Press Ltd., 1992.