In the drama of Hamlet and the novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle there are many similarities. One of the most interesting similarities being, the relationship between Hamlet and Horatio, and Edgar and Almondine. They both reflect on the loyalty, protection and support shown in each writing. In Shakespeare’s drama Hamlet, Horatio and Hamlet have been best friends since there childhood years and have been ever since. In Wroblewski’s novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Edgar and Almondine have been inseparable since the birth of Edgar, with the locality of Edgar being born mute.
All of which are displayed in the novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and the drama Hamlet. In the drama Hamlet, Horatio’s loyalty is rock-steady throughout the play. So much that he is Hamlet’s only true confidant. Horatio, being Hamlets’ one and only best friend is the one to tell him that the watchmen have seen a ghost resembling his father. After revealing the news to Hamlet they then go together to see the ghost and are sworn to secrecy about the ghost’s appearance. This is one situation in the drama of Hamlet where loyalty is displayed.
In Wroblewski’s novel, loyalty is shown through the communication of Edgar and Almondine. Knowing Edgar is disabled, Almondine is trained to help him find a way of communicating. With Edgar being born mute, they “speak” through what is called sign. This shows his loyalty through Almondine sticking by his side. In the scene of the fight with Hamlet and Laertes, Horatio warns Hamlet not to take part in the “friendly” duel that Claudius and Laertes have arranged. By telling Hamlet this, Horatio is looking out for his best interest and trying to keep both of them safe.
The Essay on Hamlet and Horatio in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the main character in the play is brought into a state of melancholy and depression over his father’s death and his mother’s incestuous marriage with his father’s brother. This causes Hamlet to seek counsel in his friendship with Horatio because of his loyalty and good qualities. Other characters in the play are willing to sacrifice their friendship ...
Also in the tragedy Hamlet, the bond with both friends is shown in the play’s ending. Horatio offers to commit suicide when his beloved Hamlet is dying before him. Hamlet insists, however, Horatio lives to tell the tragic story, and he does so. This is the upmost way of showing Horatio’s protective instinct for his best friend Hamlet. During The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Almondine also shows his loyalty through the findings of Edgar after he leaves to the Chaquemegon Forest. Usually dogs will lie around and die of a broken heart, but Almondine, a dog with some degree of hope about the world ends up looking around.
Almondine chooses the latter. She begins to search, not just for Edgar but for a solution to the whole dilemma of being without Edgar, about being separated from one’s purpose in life, to help him communicate. This is something larger and more intelligent than physical separation. A question that Edgar himself happens to encounter with at that moment. In conclusion, there are many similarities in both the novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and the drama Hamlet with the comparison of loyalty between Edgar and Almondine, and Horatio and Hamlet.
