Hamlet

Describe the relationship between Hamlet and his friends?

Horatio, Marcellus, etc..

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There are many ways to interpret Hamlet's relationship with Horatio.

Most obviously, Horatio is the only person in the play that Hamlet trusts. He is the only one who knows for certain that Hamlet's madness is an act, the one person Hamlet confides in personally, and the one whom bids Hamlet goodnight upon his death. Considering his conflicts with his family, Horatio is the only "family" Hamlet has. He understands that Horatio is very rational and thoughtful, yet not overly pensieve like himself.

In this way, Hamlet relies on Horatio, making the friendship interestingly one-sided. At no point in the play does Horatio show that he needs Hamlet. Rather than being, as Horatio is of significantly lower class than Hamlet, a literal servant, he serves Hamlet with his emotional support, rationality, and unwavering loyalty. In some respects, Hamlet and Horatio's relationship can be interpreted as servitude.

Finally comes the question of whether Horatio was in love with Hamlet. Shakespeare was often rumored to have homosexual tendencies and some sonnets are credited to be written about young boys, so it is entirely possible that Horatio posessed a romantic love for Hamlet, at least to some degree. There are many lines, particularly the famous "good night, sweet prince" that could be interpreted as romantic. If Horatio did have homosexual tendecies, it would make perfect sense that he would fall in love with his (assumedly) handsome Prince who relied on him for everything.

Again, there are many ways to interpret the relatioship between Hamlet and Horatio. The one that connects every theory is that there is definitely and absolutely a deep, profound trust, kinship, and love between them.

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Different people have many different ways to interpret Hamlet’s relationship with Horatio. Horatio is the only person in the play that Hamlet trusts. Horatio is one of the two people who know for certain that Hamlet’s madness is an act. Horatio is also the one person Hamlet confides in personally. Considering his conflicts with his family, Horatio is the only “family” Hamlet has. The word “family” means Horatio is the only one caring for him, taking care of him, etc. Hamlet understands that Horatio is very rational and thoughtful, yet not overly pensive like himself. In this way, Hamlet relies on Horatio, making the friendship interestingly one-sided. At no point in the play does Horatio show that he needs Hamlet. Rather than being, as Horatio is of significantly lower class than Hamlet, a literal servant, he serves Hamlet with his emotional support, rationality, and unwavering loyalty. In some respects, Hamlet and Horatio's relationship can be interpreted as servitude. Finally comes the question of whether Horatio was in love with Hamlet. Shakespeare was often rumored to have homosexual tendencies and some sonnets is credited to be written about young boys, so it is entirely possible that Horatio possessed a romantic love for Hamlet, at least to some degree. There are many lines, particularly the famous "good night, sweet prince" that could be interpreted as romantic. If Horatio did have homosexual tendencies, it would make perfect sense that he would fall in love with his (assumedly) handsome Prince who relied on him for everything.