Free Hamlet Essays: Importance of Minor Characters :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Importance of Minor Characters in small town A now-dead philosopher once said that people need threesome relationships in lifeconfidant, lover, mentor. Horatio acts as Hamlets confidant, fulfilling that relationship for Hamlet. As a result, we can contrast Hamlets dialogue with Horatio to Hamlets soliloquies. In Act III, Scene 2, lines 65-70 Hamlet tells Horatio about his idea to use the players to prove Cladiuss guilt. There is a play to-night before the king 65One scene of it comes near the circumstanceWhich I have told thee of my fathers deathI prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,Even with the very comment of thy soul surveil mine uncle 70 Hamlet isnt commanding Horatio to do thisthe relationship isnt based on Hamlets princehood. Hamlet has fully told Horatio what he suspects. He has confided in Horatio. From our perspective as readers, this relationship gives us insight into Hamlets state of mind. One great question about Hamlet is whether Hamlet is mad. The things Hamlet tells Horatio indicate that Hamlet is perfectly sane. Hamlet declares (alone) in Act II, Scene 2, line 535-538, Why, what an ass am I This is most brave,/ That I, the boy of the dear murderd,/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,/ Must like a whore unpack my heart with words. These lines alone dont guide on toward or away from madness. But look at it with III, 2, 65-70 in mind. We see him resolve to prove Cladiuss guilt understand the situation as it rattling is and talk with Horatio, telling him how he feels. All these things show Hamlet as rational, calculating, perceptivesane. And we know this because Horatio is there. In Act V, Scene 2, Hamlet stabbed Laertes, watched his mother die, and poured toxicant down his uncles throat. How can we possibly know what Hamlet is thinking, especially because he will soon be dead himself? Horatio the Confidant is there, the good helper who will listen to Hamlet, who would kill himself to follow Hamlet, who vows to devote his life to Hamlets message. Another big question about Hamlet Did Hamlets revenge come at too great a price? Its a judgment call the evidence can be see either way. That there is evidence at all is due to Horatio. In lines 321-328, Hamlet tells Horatio this As thourt a man,Give me the cup let go by heaven, Ill havet.O good Horatio, what a wounded name,