Essay on Second Character Role in Hamlet by William...

In many stories, the concept of a secondary character role is often overlooked and deemed irreverent. However, in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare and the novel Fifth Business by Robertson Davies, the secondary characters Horatio and Dunstan Ramsay respectively both play a crucial role in the fulfillment of â€Å"Fifth Business†. According to Davies, Fifth Business are those roles which, being neither those of Hero nor Heroine, Confidante nor Villain, but which were nonetheless essential to bring about the Recognition or the denouement† (Davies, Preface). Fifth Business represents a person who is paradoxically a â€Å"supporting character†, but has the largest impact in the development of the main character(s) and the plot. With that†¦show more content†¦Hamlet could theoretically soliloquize the whole play, but it is his conversations with Horatio that truly reveal what the Prince is really thinking and feeling. For example, insight on Hamlet ’s troubled nature is first revealed when Horatio says â€Å"My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral† (1.2.176) and Hamlet sarcastically responds with â€Å"I prithee, do not mock me, fellow-student; / I think it was to see my mother’s wedding† (1.2.177-78). Such influence on Hamlet proves that Horatio is valuable in the interpretation of the recognition and denouncement of Hamlet’s inner self. Secondly, Horatio has proven to be the anchor of reason to the plot; his role as Fifth Business is heavily credited to his intelligence and rational thinking. From the first scene, Horatio is calm and reasonable, as he is not afraid to confront and reason with the ghost. He demands it to speak if it knows what the future of Denmark is: â€Å"Speak to me, / If there be any good thing to be done / That may to thee do ease, and grace to me, / Speak to me, / If thou art pricy to thy country’s fate, / O, speak! / Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy ice / Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, / For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, / Speak of it, stay and speak!† (1.1.129-39). Lastly, Horatio, above all, is Hamlet’s only true and loyal friend. As part of their close relationship, Horatio makes it clear when HamletShow MoreRelatedHamlet, By William Shakespeare Essay1453 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet by William Shakespeare explores many aspects of mankind--death, betrayal, love, and mourning. Out of these, the most prominent theme in this play is death in the form of suicide. The main character, Hamlet, finds himself questioning the quality of life and the uncertainty of the afterlife once he discovers news of his father s death and the corruption in the kingdom that follows. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, is found dead later in the plot and is presumed to have committed suicide. In Hamlet’sRead More Revenge and Vengeance in Shakespeares Hamlet - Why Revenge?1054 Words   |  5 PagesRevenge in Hamlet        Ã‚  Ã‚   In Elizabethan times, a type of play known as a revenge tragedy became popular. These plays revolved around, ... the revenge of a father for a son or vice versa, the revenge being directed by the ghost of the murdered man... (Harmon and Holman #6). Other characteristics include real or pretend insanity, philosophic soliloquies, hesitation on the part of the protagonist, conspiracy, and the use of horror. William Shakespeares Hamlet fully satisfies each of theseRead More The Character Horatio in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1248 Words   |  5 PagesThe Character Horatio in Shakespeares Hamlet In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the confidant Horatio is created to serve a number of different purposes. Horatio is a flat character. He is a loyal, obedient, and trustworthy companion to Hamlet. His character does not undergo any significant transformation throughout the play, except that he serves as a witness of the death of Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude. Horatios role in the play seems to be as a utilitarian character that ShakespeareRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Much Ado About Nothing And Hamlet1503 Words   |  7 Pagesdefinition of the character by means of their thoughts, well-being, actions, and interactions with the other set roles. William Shakespeare’s plays included dissimilar characters and different methods of characterization. The two plays that will be compared and contrasted are William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet. As for the characters from each play, Beatrice, Benedict, Don John, Don Pedro, Claudio, and Hero will be assessed from Much Ado About Nothing and from Hamlet, Hamlet, ClaudiusRead MoreSomething and Nothing in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1731 Words   |  7 Pages   Ã‚   Can nothing be something? Or can something turn into nothing? Shakespeare would have the reader believe both are possible. A person can be something and nothing as exemplified when Ophelia asks Hamlet What is my Lord? and Hamlet replies Nothing.(3.2. 109,111) Shakespeare uses nothing multifariously in his tragic play   Hamlet.   Nothing becomes a way for the reader to draw parallels between Young Hamlet, and his slain father.   Young Hamlets   use of   the word nothing, consistentlyRead More Comparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth 921 Words   |  4 PagesComparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Therefore, the supernatural is a recurring theme in many of Shakespeares plays. In two such plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural is an integral part of the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an insight into character, and an augmentation of the impact of many key scenes. TheRead More Imagery of Disease and Decay in Hamlet Essays1069 Words   |  5 PagesImagery of Disease and Decay in Hamlet  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare found that imagery was a useful tool to give his works greater impact and hidden meaning. In Hamlet, Shakespeare used imagery to present ideas about the atmosphere, Hamlets character, and the major theme of the play. He used imagery of decay to give the reader a feel of the changing atmosphere. He used imagery of disease to hint how some of the different characters perceived Hamlet as he put on his antic disposition. And finallyRead MoreShakesperes Hamlet and Humanism Essay885 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet and Humanism William Shakespeare, Hamlet, demonstrates human nature to be gluttonous, self-involved and merciless. Claudius is determined by his greed to commit murder. Polonius is always watching out for himself, without a care of the expense of anyone that gets in his way. Hamlet ponders only of retaliation from the second he finds out about Claudius murdered his father. Human nature has been several things throughout time, but it has also changed throughout the years. People can be immoralRead MoreEssay on Character Analysis of Hamlet964 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet is the main character and protagonist in the play â€Å"Hamlet† by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. He is the son of Queen Gertrude and King Hamlet, who was murdered by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is a very unique individual and handles many situations in unusual ways. Hamlet is an extremely intriguing and complex character that appears to change with every different perspective. Shakespeare has done an absolutely fantastic job with capturing true human characteristicsRead MoreDeath theme In the play Hamlet by Shakespeare1418 Words   |  6 PagesDeath. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare uses the theme of Death to drive the characters actions, and portrays the tragedy through their dialogues and significant symbols to create a tragic atmosphere. The first sign of Death is the appearance of King Hamlets ghost. The play is set only two months after his death, which is the lead for the events following in the play. He appeared at the platform before Elsinore castle as Horatio pictures, with that fair and warlike form (Shakespeare I.i.55-56 p1326)