Hamlet and Horatio Bear a Loyalty and

Hamlet and Horatio bear a loyalty and filial love for each other exhibited by fulfillment of their respective roles as servant and master. Not having chosen these roles themselves, they fulfill them as a token of their good faith to each other through the convention of their times. It is Horatio who, knowing Hamlet's love for his father the departed king, first tells Hamlet of the appearance of his father's ghost beyond the platform.

When they go together to behold the ghost, Horatio sees that Hamlet bears casual concern for his mortality -- "I do not set my life at a pin's fee...." To which, Horatio vociferously tries to persuade Hamlet not to go with the ghost; he even tries to physically restrain him with the help of Marcellus. Horatio appears to feel guilty and responsible for Hamlet should he come to harm. Especially if Hamlet was led to the ghost by Horatio's own honesty in reporting the news of his father's ghost.

As a loyal servant to Hamlet, Horatio esteems Hamlet's safety of paramount importance, never mind what tales the ghost may tell. Horatio's loyalty is again confirmed when he swears to keep Hamlet's confidence by any oath his master may require -- "Propose the oath, my lord." Horatio's loyalty is reciprocated by Hamlet after taking the oath.

Hamlet says, "With all my love I do command to meet you: and what so poor a man as Hamlet is may do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together..." It is not unreasonable to suppose that Horatio took great personal risk in his oath to Hamlet. Where Hamlet had rank and birthright to protect him from the new king, Horatio did not.

By plotting with Hamlet to expose the king, Horatio may have been guilty of treason; and this after the king's disposition to murder was known to him. Horatio's sense of morality and loyalty to Hamlet bring him to act as Hamlet's confederate in the plot to expose the king. It is Horatio who watches the king for signs of guilt as the players act out the king's treachery under Hamlet's instruction.

The letter Hamlet sends to Horatio regarding his return cements the depth of Hamlet's own trust and faith in Horatio. After explaining his course, Hamlet signs the letter, "He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet." This clearly illustrates that loyalty is a two-way street between the two. Horatio's lines through the scene at the grave of Yorick and the burial of Ophelia are consistent affirmations of support.

Under normal circumstances, such would be the mundane duty and expectation of a servant, but while Hamlet is being censured as a madman they are poignant expressions of faithfullness and loyalty. Horatio foreshadows Hamlet's death and evinces his protective concern when, upon Hamlet's acceptance of a challenge by Laertes disguised as the desires of the queen, he warns, "You will lose this wager, my lord." Finally, as Hamlet dies, he charges his trusted Horatio to carry his blessing to Fortinbras as Denmark's new heir.

This last request, Horatio fulfills -- loyal in death.