Sam and Hamlet, Horatio and Frodo

             What purpose does Hamlet and Horatio’s relationship have in Hamlet? Hamlet is dark and creepy and has a hard time handling the weight of his responsibilities. He even pretends to and slightly gives into being crazy. He never thinks of his friendship to Horatio as a priority or even as a lasting bond. The only priority Hamlet has is revenge.

              Horatio is the perfect friend. He is always looking out for Hamlet and worried for him. He is never sidetracked from their friendship by Hamlets craziness, and always has his back. Horatio, in the end, is even willing to die with Hamlet. When he has done nothing wrong, Horatio would drink the poison instead of living without his best friend.

                Hamlet and Horatio are very similar to the characters Sam and Frodo from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. In The Lord of the Rings, Sam saves Frodo’s life many times and continues to be a  friend that Frodo can depend on.  Frodo, like Hamlet, has a huge responsibility and with Sam, or Horatio, he can see that he isn’t alone. Horatio is Hamlets firm ground and stability, like Sam is for Frodo.

                The purpose for Hamlet and Horatio’s relationship is to show more of Hamlet’s character and to give Hamlet someone to hold on to. Hamlet is very weak and Horatio brings the confidence into his life. Without Horatio, Hamlet wouldn’t have made it very far. By making Horatio so perfect, Shakespeare is also bringing Hamlet’s imperfect character into the light. Hamlet’s selfishness and craziness is more defined because of the other extreme of a true friend.





by Liam Searcy