Thanks, Kiera. Horatio's dramatic function, I'd say, is what I've outlined here. He's the archetypal helper: Messenger, information giver; Loyal confidant; Foil: rational, calm; and the Hero’s conscience. That's all quite functional. Allows Hamlet to say stuff to someone. Laertes's main functions are as a character foil, as I discuss in my Laertes video, and as a parallel character for Polonius and Hamlet. Doubling/mirroring of themes, characters, circumstances adds unity to a work, an interconnectedness that is very satisfying to see, like looking at a gorgeous Persian carpet or listening to a Beethoven symphony.
Was Horatio a character that was ignored by others, except for Hamlet. Seems vast majority of conversation is between Horatio and Hamlet. No speaks directly to Horatio?
Interesting observation. Hmm. If I'm not mistaken, just the guards at the beginning, and Gertrude. Gertrude speaks to him briefly, only as she would a servant or attendant, at the beginning of 4.5. So, the next question is, what is the effect of Horatio's phantom-like presence? What comes to my mind is his metaphoric status as Hamlet's conscience, an externalized voice of reason, almost a projection, like King Hamlet's ghost in the Closet scene. We're in Fight Club territory here:) Very interesting.
@@5QShakespeare yes I see the discussion at 4.5. I have to go look at Q1 and see if that discussion is there as well. The reason Hamlet is the only one to talk with him will depend on your idea of who Hamlet represents in the authors life, who you might think wrote the plays and who that author is to England.
Well done!
Thanks! Interesting character, Horatio.
Love your videos - so helpful! One question: How is Horatio and Laertes used to fulfill a variety of dramatic functions?
Thanks, Kiera. Horatio's dramatic function, I'd say, is what I've outlined here. He's the archetypal helper: Messenger, information giver; Loyal confidant; Foil: rational, calm; and the Hero’s conscience. That's all quite functional. Allows Hamlet to say stuff to someone.
Laertes's main functions are as a character foil, as I discuss in my Laertes video, and as a parallel character for Polonius and Hamlet. Doubling/mirroring of themes, characters, circumstances adds unity to a work, an interconnectedness that is very satisfying to see, like looking at a gorgeous Persian carpet or listening to a Beethoven symphony.
Ahh I love Horatio. How on earth did he put up with Hamlet hahahah
Haha. Indeed:)
Was Horatio a character that was ignored by others, except for Hamlet. Seems vast majority of conversation is between Horatio and Hamlet. No speaks directly to Horatio?
Interesting observation. Hmm. If I'm not mistaken, just the guards at the beginning, and Gertrude. Gertrude speaks to him briefly, only as she would a servant or attendant, at the beginning of 4.5.
So, the next question is, what is the effect of Horatio's phantom-like presence? What comes to my mind is his metaphoric status as Hamlet's conscience, an externalized voice of reason, almost a projection, like King Hamlet's ghost in the Closet scene. We're in Fight Club territory here:) Very interesting.
@@5QShakespeare yes I see the discussion at 4.5. I have to go look at Q1 and see if that discussion is there as well. The reason Hamlet is the only one to talk with him will depend on your idea of who Hamlet represents in the authors life, who you might think wrote the plays and who that author is to England.