The Unwaveringly Loyal Horatio

1. The Unwaveringly Loyal Horatio Presentation by: Janelle Atanaya, Benneth Bautista, and Janet Visaya

2. First Appearence Horatio is first introduced to us in Act 1, Scene 1. He is at the platform before the Elsinore castle where he and several other men are discussing about the legitimacy of a ghost.

3. First Impression • He is discerning and intelligent. • [Marcellus]”Horatio says ‘tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen us.” (I,1,23-25) • Horatio is skeptical of the ghost, he doesn’t just accept that it is what it is. His voice of reason tells him to doubt this ghost and questions it’s existence.

4. Hamlet’s Confidant There is a play tonight before the king. One scene of it comes near the circumstance Which I have told thee of my father’s death. I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned ghost that we have seen, And my imaginations are as foul As Vulcan’s stithy. (III,2,80-89) • Ever since Hamlet’s father’s death and his mother’s hasty marriage to his own uncle, he has become very cynical and suspicious of everyone. • But the fact that he confides in Horatio tells us that Horatio is a much trusted friend. When he is feeling so betrayed and alone, Horatio is there for him. Unlike his other friends, Horatio is true and faithful. • Horatio is the only one Hamlet can trust. He is the only one who is trustworthy enough to be given the task and information Hamlet has given him.

5. HORATIO: My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.HAMLET: I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student;I think it was to see my mother's wedding.HORATIO: Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon.HAMLET: Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked meatsDid coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day, Horatio! • (I,2,176-183) • Hamlet’s opposition and agony over his mother’s marriage so soon after his father’s death has so far been kept quiet. • But in this moment, he chooses to reveal his feelings to Horatio. • This is important because it shows how close the two are and is also telling of Horatio’s character. • It shows Horatio to be trustworthy.

6. [Hamlet] Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice And could of men distinguish, her election Hath sealed thee for herself, for thou hast been— As one in suffering all that suffers nothing— A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewards Hast ta'en with equal thanks. And blessed are those Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled, That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s finger To sound what stop she please. Give me that man That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart, As I do thee. (III,2,68-79) • In this, Hamlet reveals his reasons for holding Horatio in such a high regard. • Hamlet admires Horatio in that he is able to equally appreciate the bad and good that life has dealt him. He gracefully accepts and endures the “ slings and arrows” of fate. Hamlet on the other hand has done nothing but hate the fate he was given. • Horatio is able to discern between his reason and emotions which allows him to play his own tune. He controls his emotions. • These qualities of Horatio serve to highlight Hamlet’s weakness.

7. Unswerving Loyalty and Love HORATIO  Never believe it. I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here’s yet some liquor left. HAMLET As thou'rt a man, Give me the cup. Let go! By heaven, I’ll have ’t. O God, Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me! If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart Absent thee from felicity a while, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain To tell my story. • (V,2,345-354) • As Hamlet is dying, Horatio offers to commit the passionate act of suicide. He acts not with wild emotion, but with a sense of duty and honor. • Horatio loves Hamlet deeply, but not so much that it would rule over him. • Out of love for Hamlet, Horatio does not drink the poison. He, in the end, becomes the orator to Hamlet’s tragic story.

8. Staying True • Throughout the play, Horatio’s character does not undergo any change. He stays true to himself. Not once was he ever tempted to break his loyalty to Hamlet. He never acted rashly or impulsively. He is ever so sensible and self-controlled. • And amidst the deceit and treachery afoot in the castle walls, Horatio is able to remain uncorrupted and unpolluted.

9. An Important Role • Horatio doesn’t only play a role as Hamlet’s true friends and cofidant. • He also serves to validate Hamlet’s character. • He keeps us from seeing Hamlet as a truly mad hero. • Horatio is established to be reliable, a voice of reason. He never doubts Hamlet or believes him to be truly crazy and we also never really think he is crazy. • Because he had also seen the ghost, we never doubted for a moment that Hamlet hadn’t seen it.