Re: Horatio and Hamlet -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 14:29:07 04/24/08 Thu
Author: Caitlin
Subject: Re: Horatio and Hamlet
In reply to: CS Holden 's message, "Horatio and Hamlet" on 13:12:00 04/23/08 Wed

Could we look at Horatio as possibly an outsider to the community? True, he is Hamlet's best and most loyal friend, but perhaps Horatio is that for the reason that he really doesn't belong in the community of Hamlet's revenge story. Horatio suddenly appears almost unexpectedly. "Horatio! - of I do forget myself. ... And what make you from Wittenburg Horatio? ... But what in faith make you from Wittenburg?" (1.2.161, 164, 168) All this protesting makes me think that Hamlet is somewhat appalled to have Horatio here with him. It seems as if he'd rather disconnect his two lives: his academic life abroad and the squalor he find in Denmark.

Also, in some opposition to you, I think that Horatio DOES take part in the tragedy unfold. If fact, he BEGINS everything. He approaches Hamlet, telling him that he thinks he has seen the king and for Hamlet to "Season your admiration for a while/ With an attent ear that I may deliver,/ Upon the witness of these gentlemen,/ This marvel to you" (1.2.193-6) He then proceeds to tell Hamlet of his encounter with this ghost that resembles the dead King.

Until that point, Hamlet had only seen him "In my mind's eye" (1.2.185). So it is Horatio who in fact introduces the idea of the ghost of his father to Hamlet. Hamlet then proceeds to ascribe to the apparition the figure of his father. "Thou com'st in such a questionable shape/ That I will speak to thee. I'll call thee Hamlet,/ King, father, royal Dane" (1.4.43-5). So once the idea has been put into his mind by Horatio, Hamlet latches onto this and here everything begins to go downhill. What do you think?

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Replies:

Re: Horatio and Hamlet -- Katelyn R., 15:31:09 04/26/08 Sat
- Re: Horatio and Hamlet -- Hwaet!, 23:46:07 04/26/08 Sat
Re: Horatio and Hamlet -- Hwaet!, 23:47:23 04/26/08 Sat
- Re: Horatio and Hamlet -- CS Holden, 14:15:53 04/28/08 Mon