The similarities of

Hamlet and Horatio

Submitted to: Mr. Freitas

Submitted by: Benjamin Osorio-Lopez
Date: Feb, 26/2016
Course: ENG4UE-01

In Shakespeare`s play Hamlet, many characters show different personalities.

Some are more noticeable than others. Hamlet and his friend Horatio have unique
characteristics. They show empathy and loyalty to others and each other. They also
have a strong belief in fighting for what is right and they own the same brave,
daring kind of attitude. Hamlet and Horatio are alike in character and personality.
In the play, Hamlet and Horatio have a character of loyalty for each other.
For instance, Horatio listens to Hamlet when he asks him to spy on the king with
him. Horatio says, ``If `a steal aught the whilst this play is playing and scape
detecting, I will pay the theft. (3.2.87-88). Horatio has a sense of respect for
Hamlet. Another example is when Hamlet believes Horatio when he tells him that
he saw the ghost of his father. Hamlet also agrees to go with Horatio to investigate
the area where the ghost appears. Hamlet trusts his friend Horatio because he is
loyal and respectful as well. But other than loyalty, Hamlet also shows empathy
towards his father when he tells him about how he died. Hamlet develops feeling
for his father. When the ghost leaves, Hamlet has a soliloquy. Ay, thou poor ghost
whiles memory holds a seat in this distracted globe. (1.5.97-98). Horatio shows
empathy for Hamlet when he dies near the end of the play. He tries to die with
Hamlet by drinking a poisoned drink. Horatio feels for Hamlet when he lays dying
and this shows how much he cares for Hamlet. As well as being loyal and
empathetic, Hamlet and Horatio believe in doing the right thing.

Hamlet and Horatio have the will to stand up and do what is right. When
Hamlet learns about his father`s death, he does what he can to not let him die in
vain. Hamlet devises a plan to see if the King is guilty of killing his father by
telling his players to reenact the murder. When Hamlet realizes that it was the
King`s fault, he plans to avenge his father by killing the King in secret. Hamlet
says to himself, Now I could drink hot blood and do such bitter business as the
day would quote to look on. (3.3.389-390). Horatio portrays Hamlet`s personality
with his actions as well. When Horatio saw the ghost he went straight to Hamlet to
tell him. Horatio does not keep it a secret. He says, My Lord, I think I saw him
yesternight. (1.2.189). Horatio knows that he cannot let this incident go. Horatio
also swears to Hamlet that he will not tell anybody about the ghost encounter. The
ghost does not tell Hamlet to spread the word but to rectify the wrong done to him.
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest.
(1.5.83-84). Along with doing what is right, both men also have a brave and daring
behavior.
Horatio and Hamlet show there daring personality in similar ways. Horatio
shows his daring personality when he confronts the ghost, Stay! Speak, speak! I
charge thee speak! (1.1.56). Horatio then has the courage to strike at the ghost
with a heavy blow. This action shows how brave Horatio is. Hamlet`s actions are
more shocking. Hamlet is daring enough to board a pirate ship and fight with the

pirates. Horatio learns of Hamlet`s act of bravery when he reads his letter. Finding
ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valor and in the grapple I
boarded them. (4.6.17-18). Hamlet`s bravery makes him do things few people can
do. Furthermore, Hamlet does not hesitate to kill Laertes and the King in front of
the people watching. He says, Here thou incestuous murderous damned Dane,
drink of this potion. (5.2.327-328). Hamlet does not stop to think of the
consequences of his actions. He may hesitate to kill the King at first but afterwards
he kills him, not caring about who sees. Hamlet and Horatio are like two daredevils
in the play.
Hamlet and Horatio share the same friendship and education. Unlike
Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, Horatio is Hamlet`s closest friend ever since
school. Being friends in the same school helps develop their loyalty and respect as
they get to know each other. This is also what sets their trust. For instance, Hamlet
makes Horatio trust him when he tells him everything will be alright when he
fights Laertes. The readiness is all. Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what
is`t to leave betimes? Let be. (5.2.220-222). In summary, it is clear how the
behavior of Hamlet and Horatio mirror each other. They both show loyalty,
morality, trust, and strong will in similar ways. Hamlet and Horatio are among one
of the most profound characters in the play.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, and David M. Bevington. Hamlet. Toronto,

United States: Bantam, 1988. Print.