Apparent from the opening scene of the play is that Fortinbras, as a man of action, is valiantly avenging his father’s death. “Now, sir, young, Fortinbras, /Of unimproved mettle hot and full, / Hath in the skirts of Norway…. / Which no other than to recover of us, by strong hand/ And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands/ So by his father lost.” (1.1. 107-116) L

Horatio is one who can be depended on for clear-headed counsel. When Ophelia goes mad, the Queen refuses to see her. Horatio points out to the Queen the negative effects of not seeing Ophelia: “’Twere good she were spoken with. For she may strew/ Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.” (Act.4.5.18-20) This kind of clear-headed advice was characteristic of Horatio throughout the play. Horatio was never too caught up in the emotionally driven atmosphere to offer rational advice. In the opening scene, Horatio is skeptical of existence of the ghost. “Horatio says ‘tis but our fantasy/ And will not let belief take hold of him/ Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us.” (Act.1.1.28-30) In the time in which Hamlet is set, it was uncommon for one to doubt the existence of apparitions as evidenced by Shakespeare’s inclusion of the ghost as a supporting character in the play. This skepticism of ghosts sets Horatio apart as a man of reason and a man of thought.

Hamlet’s tragic flaw is precisely these two traits; thought and action. To illustrate this let us assume Hamlet to be a man of action alone, acting on his convictions immediately and without deterrence. He would, the moment he confirmed his suspicions, announce to the public the circumstances surrounding King Hamlet’s death, thus turning opinion in his favor. The result of this, and a claim by Hamlet to be the rightful heir to the kingdom, would likely lead to Claudius’ death by trial, and a new K

Some topics in this essay:
Horatio Fortinbras, Act1128-30 Hamlet, Horatio Queen, Claudius Aside, Act4450-59 Hamlet, Prince Denmark, Hamlet Hamlet, Hamlet Denmark, Act3377-92 Hamlet, King Hamlet’s, fortinbras’ conquest, failure precisely both”, precisely both”, failure precisely, tragic flaw, hamlet’s inaction, emotionally driven, throughout play, hamlet’s tragic, hamlet action, assume hamlet, hamlet’s tragic flaw,