Tuesday 19 May 2015

How can I analyze Horatio's last speech in Act 5 Scene 2 of Hamlet?

The reference is to what Horatio says soon after Claudius' and Laertes' devious plot for the swordfight between Laertes and Hamlet is discovered. Both men have been poisoned and Queen Gertrude is dead. Laertes confessed the  plot and Hamlet has stabbed King Claudius who has died. Laertes has also expired. When Horatio realises that his best friend is also about to die, he says:


Never believe it:
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:
Here's yet some liquor left.



Horatio is referring to Hamlet's request that he report the reasons for the carnage around him. Hamlet wants him to tell others about his cause to those whose curiosity needs to be satisfied. Horatio tells him that he won't do it for he is more like a Roman soldier who would commit suicide than continue living without his comrade (Hamlet). He wishes to drink from the chalice since there is still some of the poisoned wine left in it. Hamlet then beseeches him not to do so and asks Horatio to give him the cup. Horatio refuses and Hamlet actually has to wrest it from him.



Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't.



After Hamlet dies, Horatio says that his noble heart is broken and in his farewell wishes that the angels sweetly sing Hamlet him to his everlasting sleep.


When Prince Fortinbras and the English ambassador arrive, Horatio informs them, on a question by the Prince about the carnage that they have been informed about, that if they wish to see nothing but sorrow and wonder, they need look no further. It is all right there for them to see.


When the ambassador informs those around that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead and asks who he should approach to thank them for having performed what was asked (i.e. the execution of the two) Horatio, in referring to Claudius, says that they won't hear thanks from. This is so because firstly, he is deceased and secondly, it is not he who had given the instruction. Horatio is referring here to Hamlet's intervention on the ship to England when he had entered the two men's cabin and altered Claudius' letter so that it read that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern should be executed instead of him (as per the original instruction by Claudius).


Horatio then asks that the bodies all be placed on a stage for everyone to view before he gives reasons for the surrounding carnage. He will inform all those who are in the dark of the various schemes and plots that led to the unfortunate demise of all the deceased. He will speak of carnal affairs (Claudius' marriage to Gertrude), bloody and unnatural deeds (the murder of King Hamlet), errors in judgment and casual slaughters (Polonius accidentally killed by Hamlet and Ophelia's unfortunate suicide) as well as the current deaths which resulted from calculated and shrewd plotting as well as 'forced cause' which refers to Hamlet being forced to avenge his father's murder and reclaim the throne.


Horatio guarantees that he can truthfully tell his audience about the reason for the current situation which arose from a plot gone wrong, where the plotters were entangled in their own web and paid with their lives.


When Prince Fortinbras speaks about the fact that he also remembers a claim he has on property in Denmark, Horatio tells him that he would also address that issue. He says this because Hamlet has passed his title on to the Prince before he died. he mentions that he will be Hamlet's mouthpiece and the news will be spread. Furthermore, Horatio begs that they should all be calm whilst the bodies are removed and placed on a stage. He does not want there to be any trouble ('mischance') caused by misunderstanding or some hot-headed action by anyone.

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