Opposites Attract

     Hamlet and Horatio shared a very special relationship. Even though their characteristics were complete opposites, their friendship lasted until Hamlet's parting.
     Hamlet was unstable in his thoughts. He questioned as to whether it would be better to live or die and shifts between killing his uncle Claudius or leaving him be. He showed anger towards his mother, his uncle and his life's situation. He resorted to acting crazy with the idea of getting by with murdering his uncle, just as he got by with the accidental murder of Polonius without serious punishment. Hamlet put his sharp tongue to use on several occasions. The victims of his harsh words wouldn't even know that they have been insulted. For example, after Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that the king is using him, Rosencrantz says that he does not understand. Hamlet replies "I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear" (Act IV, Scene II, lines 23-24). Rosencrantz is oblivious to the statement and asks where Polonius's body is. Hamlet was also unpredictable. His acting insane added to the uncertainty of his schemes and actions.
     Horatio was skeptical and sensible. For instance, he wouldn't believe that King Hamlet appeared as a ghost until he saw it with his own eyes. He was also very loyal to Hamlet in the way that he endured through his ever-changing plans and requests. In addition to these traits, he was trustworthy. When Hamlet asks him to keep his father's ghost and his pretending to be crazy a secret, Horatio kept quiet. He also carried out Hamlet's final wish to tell people the story of what really happened.
     Hamlet and Horatio's relationship served two purposes in the play. One purpose is to offer the reader insight to Hamlet's thoughts and plans. Hamlet told Horatio many things, whether it was his thoughts on the grave digger's handling of the dead or his plan to "catch the conscience of the King" (Act II, Scene II, line 634). Horatio was Hamlet's confidant. He was really the only person Hamlet felt comfortable talking to. The second purpose of their friendship is to exaggerate the other character. For example, Hamlet was unpredictable in his ideas and schemes whereas Horatio remained the same- loyal and trustworthy. Hamlet insulted others in comparison to Horatio who was gentle and always agreed to whatever Hamlet said. Despite their differences, their friendship stayed true and strong to the end.