Horatio In Act 1 Of Hamlet
In Act I of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Horatio’s role is to be a witness and friend. Horatio is Hamlet’s friend from Wittenberg University; he is well-educated. Horatio is trusted by Hamlet, and he is used by Bernardo and Marcellus because of Hamlet’s trust in him. One of aspect in Act one is Horatio’s role as a witness. The Act starts with Bernardo and Marcellus bringing Horatio to stand watch with them to show him the “ghost” that they had seen. Horatio refused to believe them about the ghost, he was skeptical. Bernardo and Marcellus knew that Hamlet would believe that there was a ghost if Horatio told him. Another important aspect about Horatio is how loyal he is to Hamlet. Hamlet trusts him and reveals to him what the ghost, which Horatio
told him about, said to him. He also confides in Horatio about pretending to go crazy. Hamlet’s trust in Horatio shows that they are great friends and respect one another. Also, the fact that Horatio does not question Hamlet’s plan to pretend to be crazy also shows that Horatio has a respect and trust for Hamlet. It is a mutual feeling between the two. There are a few inconsistencies and questions about Horatio that arise when reading Act I. First, Horatio claims he would never believe that there was a ghost, yet as Act I Scene I continues, Horatio describes people rising from the ground in the time of Julius Caesar, and other bad things occurring. Also, Horatio claims to believe in the ghosts disappearing when it was morning. Based off of his apparent belief in the bad things that happened and his belief in ghosts, why would it be so difficult for him to believe that Bernardo and Marcellus had seen a ghost? Another inconsistency about Horatio is how Hamlet and him are great friends, yet Hamlet did not know that Horatio was in town. If they were good friends, one would think that Horatio would have informed Hamlet of his presence. In conclusion, Horatio is a well-educated and trustworthy man. He is used as a witness to Hamlet by Bernardo and Marcellus. There is also a mutual respect and trust between Horatio and Hamlet.
told him about, said to him. He also confides in Horatio about pretending to go crazy. Hamlet’s trust in Horatio shows that they are great friends and respect one another. Also, the fact that Horatio does not question Hamlet’s plan to pretend to be crazy also shows that Horatio has a respect and trust for Hamlet. It is a mutual feeling between the two. There are a few inconsistencies and questions about Horatio that arise when reading Act I. First, Horatio claims he would never believe that there was a ghost, yet as Act I Scene I continues, Horatio describes people rising from the ground in the time of Julius Caesar, and other bad things occurring. Also, Horatio claims to believe in the ghosts disappearing when it was morning. Based off of his apparent belief in the bad things that happened and his belief in ghosts, why would it be so difficult for him to believe that Bernardo and Marcellus had seen a ghost? Another inconsistency about Horatio is how Hamlet and him are great friends, yet Hamlet did not know that Horatio was in town. If they were good friends, one would think that Horatio would have informed Hamlet of his presence. In conclusion, Horatio is a well-educated and trustworthy man. He is used as a witness to Hamlet by Bernardo and Marcellus. There is also a mutual respect and trust between Horatio and Hamlet.