Horatio Flashcards
(4 cards)
Who is Horatio?
- Hamlet’s closest friend.
- Loyal, rational, and trustworthy.
- Survives at the end to tell Hamlet’s story.
Key quotes for Horatio
“Give me that man / That is not passion’s slave” – Highlights Horatio’s calm reason, contrasting with Hamlet’s emotion.
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince” – A moving tribute that humanises Hamlet and mourns him.
“I am more an antique Roman than a Dane” – Willing to die honourably, echoing ancient Roman loyalty.
Main themes for Horatio
Family/Friendship – Represents loyalty, unlike many at court.
Death – The final witness to the tragedy.
Religion – Trusts divine providence.
Corruption – An honest figure in a corrupt world.
Context for Horatio
Horatio reflects Stoic ideals — reason over emotion. His survival shows the need for moral truth-tellers in a broken world. He acts as a link between the world of the play and the audience’s judgement.
