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| Character | Horatio | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive, Afraid | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Tragedy | |
| Description | Horatio predicts misfortune for Denmark | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 1 | |
Summary
The play is set in Denmark at the Elsinore Castle. In the first scene of the play we are outside the castle on a winter night. Two watchmen, Bernardo and Marcellus have called Horatio, Prince Hamlet's friend, to join them during the night watch to witness the apparition of a ghost that they believe is the ghost of the dead King Hamlet. Horatio doesn't believe them at first but then he witnesses a fast apparition of the ghost. Horatio argues that this apparition has a meaning, that is some misfortune is about to happen in Denmark.
In this monologue Horatio explains what he thinks is about to happen in Denmark, that is the army of Norway, led by Prince Fortinbras, will soon attack them. King Hamlet, he explains, had killed Fortinbras of Norway, defeated his army and won his lands. Now he thinks his son will seek revenge and attack them, which is why they are working as watchmen in the first place.
In this monologue Horatio explains what he thinks is about to happen in Denmark, that is the army of Norway, led by Prince Fortinbras, will soon attack them. King Hamlet, he explains, had killed Fortinbras of Norway, defeated his army and won his lands. Now he thinks his son will seek revenge and attack them, which is why they are working as watchmen in the first place.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| HORATIO That can I; At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king, Whose image even but now appear'd to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet-- For so this side of our known world esteem'd him-- Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact, Well ratified by law and heraldry, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror: Against the which, a moiety competent Was gaged by our king; which had return'd To the inheritance of Fortinbras, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant, And carriage of the article design'd, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimproved mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes, For food and diet, to some enterprise That hath a stomach in't; which is no other-- As it doth well appear unto our state-- But to recover of us, by strong hand And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands So by his father lost: and this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, The source of this our watch and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage in the land. |
