Character Analysis: Horatio

1. "What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff that beetles o'er his base into the sea..." (I.4.69-71)
   Horatio is saying this to Hamlet as he begins to follow the ghost of his father. The ghost is summoning Hamlet to follow him and Horatio is worried that the ghost is going to lead him somewhere bad that may hurt him. This scene shows the readers what a good friend Horatio is to Hamlet. You can see that Horatio truly cares about Hamlet.

2. "Have after! To what issue will this come?" (I.4.89)
    Horatio says this during the same scene when the ghost is trying to lead Hamlet to follow him. Horatio says this to Marcellus when he asks if they should follow Hamlet and the ghost. Horatio is wondering when it will all end and what this all means. He is basically the voice of reason within all the men. He does not know what will come of all this.

3. "Here, sweet lord, at your service." (III.2.55)
    Horatio says this to Hamlet when he enters the room. This line is so simple, yet it shows so much. Horatio is such a great guy and he treats Hamlet very well. He is always ready to help and advice Hamlet with whatever he needs.

4. "Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds." (IV.5.14-15)
   Horatio says this to the Queen concerning Ophelia. Ophelia is going crazy and she wished to speak with the Queen, but the Queen did not really want to, but Horatio encouraged her to. Even though Horatio is technically "Hamlet's man" he assists everyone! Not just Hamlet. Horatio is just a great guy.