Analysis of Loyalty in Hamlet Essay Example

William Shakespeare demonstrates many ideas and concepts from the classic play Hamlet, through the main character Hamlet’s point of view. Shakespeare believes that loyalty is a necessary quality for successful and long-lasting friendships, and I agree wholeheartedly because of my personal experience with my friends.

Shakespeare seems to believe that loyalty is a necessary quality for a good friendship. Loyalty is the act of being faithful and reliable. When considering what a truly good friendship is, you must identify if your friend is loyal to you and the relationship. Shakespeare suggests the importance of loyalty in friendship throughout the play. A single event that displays this idea is when Hamlet goes up to Horatio before the play. Hamlet has crafted a plan to understand and get proof that Claudius has killed his father. Horatio plays an important role in this plan as Hamlet asks to watch the king's actions behind the stage. Hamlet exclaims, “give me that man, That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him in my hearts core, Ay, In my hearts of hearts” (Shakespeare 3.2.). Hamlet is getting very deep and vulnerable with Horatio, He continuously uses “hearts' ' over again. The word heart refers to the meaning of scared, love, skin deep, etc. So, from Shakespeare's writing, it can be concluded that Horatio showing traits of being a loyal and an honest friend to Hamlet and vice versa makes for a really good, comfortable relationship. Hamlet has so much trust, faith, and respect for Horatio, that Hamlet feels Horatio will not expose his plan and his experience with his father. This is a perfect example of locality in a friendship because, Horatio, even though Hamlet's' ' manic disposition” still treats him like before. Horatio has always had the opportunity to leave and go study in Europe. Instead, he has stayed by Hamlet's side and not judged him for what he has experienced unlike others in the play. From the quote, it is proof that Hamlet whole heartily believes that Horatio is very loyal and trustworthy. As a result of loyalty in their friendship, their friendship lasts until the very end. Shakespeare writes about how being loyal is a necessary quality for any friendship, and I agree wholeheartedly because of my personal experience with my friends. Her name is Ellie and we have danced with each other since we were young. I would say we have been friends for around 10+ years. Our friendship works because she respects me, is patient with me, and is overall loyal.  I trust her with every aspect of my life and she trusts me with hers. In the end, our friendship could somewhat be considered similar to that of Hamlet and Horatio because of one moment in particular that comes to mind. One time she asked me if I could watch this person while she was socializing to see if her suspicions were true. In fact they were, but that beside the fact that she trusts me with very personal aspects of her life, which is what true friendship is.

To enhance the idea of friendship, Shakespeare also gives an example of how a lack of loyalty can deteriorate a friendship. This scene takes place after the previous quote before. It starts when Hamlet is discussing the recent reaction of the king with Horatio. Hamlet is beyond excited that his plan has come together. All of a sudden Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern walk towards Hamlet and Horatio. Hamlet, being very joyfully expressive, says, “ah-ha! come, some music: come, the recorders'' (Shakespeare 3.2.). In this scene, there is no longer music present and instead, he is calling his friend's the music players. He refers to them as recorders. Which is a small flute-like instrument with just a couple of holes in it. When I was young, I learned how to play a recorder in 5th grade. I think my school added it into the curriculum because it was super easy to learn and teach. I figure that is why Shakespeare uses this metaphor. When the audience is viewing the play they can relate to the idea of playing a recorder but also the feeling of being used. This connection with the audience deepens the sympathy for Hamlet. Hamlet once trusted his childhood friends but after figuring out that they are communicating with the king, he figures they aren't loyal friends to him because they care more about the wage the king is giving them than his feelings. Hamlet ultimately decides on a new extreme plan to leave the friendship later on in the play. Unlike the previous quote, Shakespeare demonstrates what not having loyalty looks like and feels like between the 2 parties. As well as how the lack of trust in a friendship can hurt the relationship in the end. Throughout my life so far I've experienced several friendships. Some friendships that I still have and others that have fizzled out. I have seen the good and the bad of friendship.  There was a time where my current best friend and I were a small trio. The three of us were in a group for dance and did everything together. As we got older though, the other girl started to share our secrets and stories with others, she only talked about herself and started to push me and my current friend down mentally. She even started to tell rumors about me to my friend in hopes to break our friendship. This went on for years. My current best friend and I got closer because we respected and listened to each other. She would listen to me rant about my life, school, home as one does. To compare though I was always a keen listener towards her, and if she told me not to tell, I would never tell. however, when it was the other way around she seemed to be only interested in sharing what I told her, she told others when I asked for it to be private as it was personal. That friendship ultimately ended in flames and figuratively burned me rather deep. With the strength of my other friend, together, we pushed ourselves away from her toxicity. That relationship did not last because she was so many things to me but overall not loyal to me or my friend

Even though Shakespeare wrote Hamlet nearly 400 years ago, many motifs and perspectives from the play are relevant to the 21st century. Such qualities as being that loyalty is essential for a good relationship. Shakesphere and I agree that to have a lasting friendship both sides need to be loyal, respectful and trustworthy.