Importance of Minor Characters in HamletA now deceased philosopher once said that people need three relationships in life: confidant, lover, mentor. Horatio acts as Hamlet's confidant, fulfilling this relationship for Hamlet. Accordingly, we can compare Hamlet's dialogue with Horatio to Hamlet's soliloquies. In Act III, scene 2, lines 65-70, Hamlet tells Horatio his idea: to use the players to prove Cladius' guilt. There is a play tonight before the king; 65 One of these scenes comes close to the circumstance I related to you concerning the death of my father: I pray you, when you see this act taking place, even with the very commentary of your soul, observe my uncle... 70 Hamlet does not order Horatio to do this – the relationship is not based on Hamlet's principality. Hamlet fully explained to Horatio what he suspected. He confided in Horatio. From our perspective as readers, this relationship gives us insight into Hamlet's state of mind. A big question about Hamlet is whether Hamlet is crazy. What Hamlet says to Horatio indicates that Hamlet is perfectly sane. Hamlet declares (alone) in Act II, Scene 2, lines 535-538: “Why, what an ass am I! It is very courageous,/ That I, the son of the dear murdered,/ Driven to my revenge by heaven and goodness,/ I must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words. "These lines alone do not point toward or away from madness. But look at him with III, 2, 65-70 in mind. We see him intent on proving Cladius' guilt; understanding the situation as it 'she really is; and talk with Horatio, telling him how he feels. All these things show Hamlet as rational, calculating, perceptive - and we know this because Horatio is there in the act. V, scene 2, Hamlet stabbed Laertes, saw his mother die and poured poison down his uncle's throat How can we know what Hamlet is thinking, especially since he himself will soon be dead. ? Horatio the Confidant is there, the good friend who will listen to Hamlet, who would kill himself to follow Hamlet, who swears to devote his life to Hamlet's message Another big question about Hamlet: did Hamlet's revenge cost him? too expensive? It's a matter of judgment: the evidence can be interpreted either way. That there is evidence is due to Horatio. In lines 321-328, Hamlet says to Horatio this: As thou art a man, give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I will have it. O good Horatio, what a wounded name,