Horatio And Figurative Language In Hamlet

926 Words4 Pages
In Shakespeare’s tragic play “Hamlet”, Shakespeare demonstrates the boundaries that language can surpass upon relationships through Hamlet’s use of puns and figurative language with Horatio. Coincidentally, the reoccurring theme of Evil in the play is the foundation for most of Hamlet’s relationships with other characters, these evils consist of lust, revenge, and deceit. However within these evils, some examples show Hamlet is able to form a benevolent friendship with Horatio. Shakespeare emphasizes spiteful relationships like Hamlet and King Claudius throughout the play to focus on the idea that relationships can collapse and are destined to fail regardless of his/her’s titles yet he additionally shows that even those who make minor…show more content…
Horatio makes it his duty to serve and protect his relationship with Hamlet to the point that Hamlet notices and changes his status from a ordinary commoner to a close “brother”, “’The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever’----- ‘Sir, my good friend; I'll change that name with you’”. By allowing Horatio to change his status from commoner to “brother”, Hamlet is opening a pathway to series of events that allow him to share secrets that would put both of their lives in danger. For instance, in comparison to his relationship with Queen Gertrude or King Claudius, Hamlet sees Horatio as his only “family” and uses this new found trust for in his trap that he plans on using for King Claudius during the reenactment of “The Murder of Gonzago”, “Well, my lord: If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing, And 'scape detecting, I will pay the theft”. This new found trust is the catalyst that blurs the boundaries between these two characters, “Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man. As e'er my conversation coped withal------Nay, do not think I flatter” Hamlet knows that he of royalty and must meet up to society’s expectations yet he genuinely cares about his friendship with Horatio and chooses to overlook his status and his “servant” and sees him as an equal. Having to carry more than one identity, thus dividing his personality and complicating his sense of identity, Hamlet is able to rely on this friendship from becoming into his satirical puns and preventing from “making…show more content…
As the Prince of Denmark seeks revenge for his father’s murder, he entrusts Horatio with his secrets knowing that withholding information in regards to King Hamlet Sr.’s death was dangerous as well as Horatio’s loyalty to Hamlet despite Horatio’s obligations to serve the royal court and to refuse hiding important information from King Claudius. Horatio who has been a consistent grounded force in Hamlet’s life, “Here, sweet lord, at your service”, emphasizes his respect for Hamlet by maintaining formalities and putting Hamlet’s needs in front of everything else including the King’s needs. Similarly, by entrusting Horatio with his secrets, Hamlet is changing the dynamics of a dominant relationship to a communal relationship, from a servant to a friend. In addition, each character maintains a give and take relationship, Horatio, being a character that greatly contrasts the qualities that Hamlet has, can be characterized as rational and composed, “You will lose this wager, my lord.”, he offers emotional stability acting as the
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