In William Shakespeare's tragic play Hamlet, Prince Hamlet conspires to avenge his father's murder. Throughout the play, Hamlet goes through episodes of madness, depression, and hostility. However, throughout his tragic story, Hamlet's old friend Horatio remains a constant. A scholar and loyal friend to Hamlet, Horatio acts as one of Hamlet's many characters, meaning his characteristics contrast Hamlet's, highlighting certain personality traits and allowing the reader to understand Hamlet. Horatio's minor role is vital to Hamlet's story. He adds nothing to the plot of the play and instead acts as the voice of common sense. Horatio is an outside observer of the madness that ensues after the murder of King Hamlet. All of Hamlet's soliloquies revolve around irrational speculations about death and decay. However, Hamlet's conversation with Horatio grounded the play in reality. During these conversations, Hamlet reveals his feelings to his closest friend. Horatio is the only one to whom Hamlet can come and talk about what is happening in his life. When the encounter with the ghost occurs at the beginning of the play, Horatio's original skepticism introduces doubt. When Horatio acknowledges that the spirit exists, readers are allowed to believe that the ghost was not a figment of Hamlet's imagination. Upon first sighting of the ghost, Horatio, urging Hamlet to stay away from the ghost, says: "And if it tempts you to the flood, my lord.../And take there another horrible form/That might deprive your sovereignty. of reason / And lead you into madness? Think about it./The very place puts toys of despair/Without more reason, in every brain” (III.ii.75). Horatio foreshadows Hamlet's descent into madness. Here Horatio is... middle of paper ... when he wants to clearly communicate the truth or show a problem from a certain point of view, he uses Horatio's credibility. Horatio illuminates the consequences Hamlet might face and, as an outside observer, allows the reader a glimpse into Hamlet's mind. Hamlet's admiration for Horatio shows what Hamlet considers important in a man. Horatio, on the other hand, shows the deep flaws in Hamlet's character and allows the reader to better understand who Hamlet really is, and not who he pretends to be through his soliloquies. Ultimately, Horatio himself becomes a playwright, using bodies to tell the tragic story of Prince Hamlet. Works Cited Kaplan, Michael I. "Hamlet & Horatio: The Many Faces of Love." Language arts and literature. Armstrong Atlantic State University, nd Web. January 12, 2014. Crowther, John, ed. “No fear Hamlet.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2005. Internet. January 13. 2014.