Horatio and Hamlet

     The friendship between Hamlet and Horatio is a vital part of the play because their relationship gives

insight into Hamlet’s character throughout the entire play. Horatio is the only character Hamlet can

really trust. He is the only one that knows that Hamlets madness is an act. Not only does Horatio know

that Hamlet is still sane, but he also sees the ghost. This helps to prove that Hamlet really sees a Ghost.   

Hamlet could soliloquize until the end, but his conversations with Horatio really help ground the play in

reality. Apart from the soliloquies, the conversations between Hamlet and Horatio are really the only

sight we have to Hamlets true thoughts and feelings.  If it were not for Horatio there would be no

questioning Hamlets insanity.  Hamlet admires Horatio for the qualities which he does not have himself;

Things like being able to speak to the ghost without fear, and have self control. When Hamlet is dying,

Horatio is ready for suicide. He does not want to live if his best friend cannot live too. While Hamlet is

dying he asks Horatio to take over Denmark and help form it back into what it is supposed to be. He still

thinks heavily about suicide, but then decides not to act out of his uncontrollable emotions but in a

sense of honor help the people in Denmark as his dying friend asked.  

It is Horatio who makes Hamlet who he is and it is Horatio who makes Hamlet the powerful tragedy it

has proven itself to be.