A Character Analysis of Horatio–from Shakespeare’s “HAMLET”

Horatio may be a minor role in the great Shakespeare play “Hamlet”; however he is role of great importance to not only the readers of this play but also to the good Prince Hamlet of who Horatio was his closest and dearest friend and confident. Horatio serves two main purposes in this tragedy first as the steadfast friend of the prince and second as the teller of Hamlets life story.

True and faithful, Horatio is the ideal image of friend. Always willing to help and be of service to Hamlet the Prince. They studied together at the University of Wittenburg and were good scholars as well as good friends. Horatio is in truth the man Hamlet would like to be. He is smart and good, but is not driven to any extreme or rash actions because of his intellectual mind. Horatio is willing to trust people and accept the world as it comes to him but is also willing to look for truth and risk his life for those he loves. Hamlet admires and praises Horatio for the qualities he so firmly possesses, that he lacks, such as virtue of truth and self control: “Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man….as e’ver my conversation cop’d withal.” Horatio is a strong character who is unwavering in his friendship and ideals, and Hamlet often longs for the peace of mind he seems to think Horatio possesses.

“Dost thou hear? Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice, and could of men distinguish her election, hath seal’d thee for herself, for thou hast been as one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, a man that fortune’s buffets and rewards hast ta’en with equal thanks: and blest are those whose blood and judgement are so well commedled that they are not a pipe for fortune’s finger to sound what stop she please. Give me that man that is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart, as i do thee.”

Horatio feels deeply for Hamlet and loves him greatly, but will not try to rule him or persuade him. He remains level-headed and stable and is not “…passion’s slave…” Hamlet and Horatio are different but not so much as to push them away from each other. Hamlet often leaves the other characters of the drama confused but Horatio seems to be able to make out what the Prince wants to express. Their conversations lay a great deal of meaning and ground to the play, and help explain many of Hamlets mysteries that he trusts no one else to tell but his best friend. Horatio easily believes Hamlet even when so many others doubt his sanity, therefore it makes it easier for readers to trust and believe Hamlet as well. Other than Hamlet’s many long soliloquies, his conversations with his friend are the only other true insight into our hero’s thoughts, innermost soul, and feelings.

Why we may ask, other than the fact that they are good friends, does the good Prince trust Horatio so much as in to leave the fate and his story of his life and country in his hands? Hamlet can rely on Horatio for many reasons the main being that from the very beginning of this play he is calm, sensible and intelligent. He is not afraid of the ghost and even demands that it speak if it knows anything that they may need to know “If thou art privy to thy country’s fate ….O, speak! Or if thou hast uphoarded in they life extorted treasure in the womb of earth….Speak of it, stay and speak!” He is everything the Prince needs in a friend at this time.

The good Horatio believes Hamlet in all cases and supports him in all his decisions except one, the very one that costs Hamlet his life just as he had predicted it would. He loves the Prince Hamlet so much that he would rather kill himself by his own hand with the poisoned wine, with honor and duty, than to have to live on after Hamlet’s death. Hamlet however had another plan, a plan that puts Horatio in a place of high importance. This place was to tell his story that he might not be forgotten. With his last breaths he trusts his friend to find a way and the words to tell the truth about his life, and his fathers in the confusing times he must know is coming to his dear country of Denmark.“If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart…Absent thee from felicity a while…and in this harsh world draw thy breath is pain…to tell my story.” Entrusting this task to Horatio shows his true love for his friend better than any gifts of words he could have spoken. Therefore in the end Hamlet, the readers hero, becomes a little more like his idol and friend Horatio accepting his fate of death and the evil in the world.

Horatio remains after all the other main characters have fallen, so was he really such a minor character? He remains as a pure example of friendship of the most precious kind. True and unselfish, he is a friend that any person no matter what age they may be or what time era they live in would be proud to have!

Huck Finn

OLD ESSAY FROM HIGH SCHOOL

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“ So in two seconds away we went a-sliding down the river, and it did seem so good to be free again and all by ourselves on the big river and nowbody to bother us.” This quote undoubtly shows passion, but not in a fancy way. When this quote is first read one might even have to read it twice to get it. However, the readers attention is easily grabbed. It may not be formally wrote or grammatically correct, but readers can connect and understand it! This is how the great American author Mark Twain writes, plainly in easy coherent language and we love it! Twain draws readers in and keeps their attention no matter where at in his works. The whole book of Huck Finn is full of a then new style—written as the boy Huck and those around him would have truly spoken.

In the beginning of Mark Twains the- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain uses the simple way of the colloquial language to stretch and draw out Huck’s thoughts and feelings, this at times may cause some confusion or completely lose the reader; however, one will find as they continue to read his book and get into Huckleberry’s adventures that they will adapt and soon learn to enjoy this informal language.

Huckleberry, as unlearned as he may be is still very vivid in his thoughts and feelings. He may express them quite plainly and upfront, but readers can see that it comes from his heart and this connects very well with them. He even tries his hand at poetry, for poor dead Miss. Emmaline, and though it may not of been very promising it proves that everyone has a bit of poet in them.

The dialect used in this piece of Twains work, shows the southern way of life in a middle class to poor setting. Slow and easy country charm is clearly visible, with an added touch of Huck’s very own special personality. The dialect and language used in this book gives it the character it has and is what helps make it such a well remembered classic.

Reading the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, can open readers eyes to not only a different way of writing but also to new ways of thinking and ways to express themselves. Learning and enjoying life as he went along is how Huck Finn thrived in his adventures. Readers will feel transformed and right there beside him as they read this work, “…so good to be free…all by ourselves on the big river and nowbody to bother us”!!!

A Look Into Gallaudet University

In the middle 1800’s, a man by the name of Amos Kenndal donated 2 acres to start a school for deaf and blind students; little did he know how much his small contribution of kindness would grow. “From such modest beginnings evolved the comprehensive University of international importance that exists today.” Now in 2008, a little over 140 years later, his act in trying to help these students has grown into the famous Gallaudet University; the only university in the world to offer higher education programs completely and specifically designed for deaf or hard of hearing students.

Established in 1864, the location is placed in the beautiful and industrious city of Washington D.C. where it is perfectly stationed in a special part of America. It is not only a college to the students that attend there but it is also “a home away from home” and their life. The university offers a “barrier-free communication environment.” Home to 3,000 plus students, this school is not only growing in numbers of students, but also in state, national and world-wide fame!

At Gallaudet University, deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students and scholars join together in a unique community to learn, to teach, and to create. Full access and open communication drive the Gallaudet University vision. This means that no matter what your background might be, your welcome is assured. Once here, you will discover that the university brims with academic and social opportunities, promising you a rich, varied experience throughout your stay on campus.

Students can choose from over 40 majors to acquire as well as some other bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degrees .“The courses are designed to prepare students to spend their professional or social lives after graduation, in the deaf community or, to make further contributions in a chosen academic discipline.”

To perspective students; whether they are deaf, hard of hearing or even hearing, Gallaudet says this about their university: “Here, unequaled internship, employment, cultural and entertainment abound.” (Gallaudet University) Hearing students are also welcomed kindly here as well: “The University also admits a small number of hearing, degree-seeking undergraduate students-up to 5 percent of an entering class; however it is more expensive for them which makes it even harder for them to attend here. For a hearing student that is a United State’s Citizen, it costs approximately $18,980 and for a hearing international student it costs approximately $29,200 those are both just the cost for one year of tuition not counting your books and some additional fees. Hearing students however continue to apply and seem to enjoy going to this deaf and hard of hearing school!

Gallaudet University is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard-of-hearing undergraduate students. The University enjoys an international reputation for the outstanding graduate programs it provides deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students, as well as for the quality of the research it conducts on the history, language, culture, and other topics related to deaf people.

There are an estimated 235,688,000 people in the U.S and approximately 20,295,000 of them are deaf or hard of hearing. That’s 8.6% of the U.S’s population. For anyone interested in the deaf or Deaf people or American Sign Language, Gallaudet University is the place to go look, explore and find your answers. Whether you are a hearing person with a love to help or learn, been not hearing your whole life, or are simply hard of hearing; Gallaudet offers many helpful websites on their school’s homepage and are very open and willing to help anyone who is curious about their programs or history. Gallaudet as the only leader in higher education for over a hundred years, is definitely the best place to go and learn more about the Deaf and the amazing institution they have developed there!

Looking to the future of this great university:

Today, Gallaudet is not only one of the Washington area’s largest businesses in terms of salaries and benefits paid to employees and money spent on goods and services, it also is viewed by deaf and hearing people alike as a primary resource for all things related to deaf people, including educational and career opportunities, communication access, Deaf History, Language and Culture, and the impact of technology on the deaf community.

This college is a very important part of Deaf cultures and communities world-wide, and I believe it should also be important to the hearing people of the world. I am very proud as an American that we are home to this university and that it is open to so many students no matter where they are from or what their demographic background is. “Visiting Gallaudet’s campus…is the best way to learn about the breadth of our academic programs and to see our state-of-the-art facilities.” (Gallaudet University:Campus Tours) Visiting Gallaudet University is definitely something I would like to see happen in my future, and I look forward to touring it as many others have in the past including: presidents, kings and queens and people from all over the planet.

Enrollment Fall of 2006

Based on 1990-1991 data