Neil Bowen on
Summary
Dr Katy Limmer, in EMC article
Explores the way in which Horatio, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern contribute to the theme of male friendship in ‘Hamlet’, analysing their roles in the light of contemporary models and attributes
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with Hamlet = false friendship
Hamlet and Horatio = true friendship
First victims of Hamlet’s ‘cold-blooded murder plot’ are his former friends; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Modern tendency to play these two characters together for laughs and adds to the unease when Hamlet shortly dismisses them after their deaths
Renaissance Models of Friendship
Amicitia perfecta (pure friendship)
Roots in the writings of classical authors such as Aristotle and Cicero (through the essays of Michel de Montaigne and Francis Bacon)
Friendship = a free choice between equals
The perfect male friendship is based on;
Strong affection
Where the friends appear to be one soul in two bodies
Both men possessing incorruptible virtue
High level of similarity
Described as alter ipse (another self)
Classical Examples of passionate and loyal male friendship;
Alexander and Hephaestion (Alexander the Great)
Achilles and Patroclus (Trojan War)
Damon and Pythias (Greek Legend)
The language of amicitia perfecta may sound to modern audiences as it were describing romantic love
Insiders and Outsiders
Most important differences between Horatio and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern is their respective relationships to the court of Elsinore
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are heavily connected to the web of social and power relationships within Elsinore
Hamlet chose Horatio as a friend, as an adult
‘Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice, And could of men distinguish her election’ (Act 3 Scene 2, Hamlet describing himself choosing Horatio)
One Friend : Another Self
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come as a pair (sign of dramatic weakness)
They can’t be true friends to Hamlet as there are two of them
Shakespeare made the false friends two characters on purpose, in order for them to represent the wider, bit necessarily weaker, ties of political friendship.
Horatio is Hamlet’s alter ipse
False Friendship
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern lack incorruptible virtue and candor
Friendship with Hamlet inspired more by Machiavellian realpolitik where it is valued only as far as it offers economic and political usefulness
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern do it to gain status in Elsinore
‘Your visitation shall receive such thanks As fits a king’s remembrance’
They are frequently shown to be willing to exploit their history of friendship with Hamlet for this end
I am more antique Roman than a Dane
Latinate name = shows Horatio as an ideal classical model of friendship
Horatio follows a classical mode of life
He is a philosopher, specifically a Stoic
Hamlet calls him Damon
Relates to Damon and Pythias
Horatio was willing to commit suicide at the end of the play
Suicide was seen as a brave and a principled stand against tyranny in Ancient Rome
Amicita Perfecta VS Cynical and corrupted friendship
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern friendship is corrupted (Just like the Danish Court) by Claudius
Horatio demonstrates his loyalty and virtue throughout the play by giving Hamlet constant support and preferring death to live without him
‘Give me that man that is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my heart’s core, ay in my heart of heart’ - Act 3 Scene 2