A Trustworthy Friend Horatio

Breaking someone's trust is like crumpling up a piece of paper. You can smooth it over but it's never going to be the same-Kalwar. In The Tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the lack of trust between characters Hamlet; the prince of Denmark, acknowledges that Horatio is a respective friend and can be trusted. A true friend meaning trust is extremely rare in Hamlet. The characters in the play spend most of their time backstabbing one another for personal gain. The only trustworthy friend Hamlet has is Horatio.

In Act 1, Horatio and Marcellus leash Bernardo(one of the characters they disliked) on the battlement of Elsinore so that they may witness the ghost if he reappears. When the ghost leaves without having to say anything to any of the men Horatio says,And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day, and, at his warning,Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,Th' extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine, and of the truth herein This present object made probation.(1, i ,150-155) Horatio is clearly secured by the work and friendship with Hamlet to tell him exactly what he has seen.

In Act 3, play within a play the murder of Gonzago Hamlet ask friends (Horatio) a favor. Hamlet wants him (Horatio) to observe Claudius reactions to the murder of Gonzago. Hamlet trusts Horatio more then himself. When Hamlet has successfully caught the king's reaction, Horatio admires Hamlets pride. Hamlet: O good Horatio. I'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound. Dids perceive?Horatio: Very well, my lord.(3, Scene 1)Horatio shows that he believes that Hamlet isn't crazy and theirs proof that Claudius has killed king Hamlet.

In Act V Hamlet tells horatio to not kill himself because he needs to be the one to tell his story. Horatio says, Now cracks a noble heart. good night, sweet prince, and flights of angles sing thee to thy resting place" (V.11.374) Horatio impresses the last words as friends with Hamlet. And he was a great friend when it lasted.

In the Tragedy of Hamlet, Hamlet and Horatio's relationship was one of a kind. Horatio was always there for Hamlet no matter how wrong Hamlet was but, it made their relationship stronger. A friend like Horatio is one you will never let go.

Works Cited

1. https://www.sparknotes.com/nofear/shakespeare/hamlet/

Cite this page