The Dramatic Importance of Horatio in the Play
             · Horatio is a mediator between characters throughout the play. He has no strong feelings, weather it be love or hate, toward the remaining characters. Thus, knowing each character from previous encounters (not within the play), Horatio is left to introduce an un-biased character revelation. Being a scholar, Horatio is also familiar with occurrences of the state, which provides background information concerning Denmark: "When he the ambitious Norway combated; so frown'd he once, when in angry parle, he smote the sledded Polack on the ice."(I.i.61-63).
             · Horatio's education also allows him to present hypothesis regarding the nature of the ghost, which allows the audience to contemplate the situation from angles: "What if it tempt you toward the flood, by lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff..."(I.iv.69-71)
             · Horatio remains a neutral character by judging others' reactions. He knows their habbits, and thus, to remain clear of the fray, he discusses each person's mannerisms, and takes it upon himself to remain their friend. Hence, he introduces hidden characteristics of plot and player; "Custom hath made it in him property of easiness." (V.i.67-68). Horatio calms Hamlet's disgust at the gravediggers' humour in their job. "Why, what a king is this!" (V.ii.63). Horatio agrees with Hamlet's good side, but never jeopardizing his relations with the king.
             · Horatio, by the use of pathos, arouses compassion in the audience, creating sympathy towards Hamlet. After Hamlet has begun his "antic disposition" (I.v.173) he begins to lose popularity among the other characters in the play. Polonius and Claudius plot against him "For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither" (II.i.29), Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are ordered to spy on him: to draw him on
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