Hamlet Blog Post 5: And the Beat Goes On....Even in the Characters Don't

Lyrics 

Oh uh-huh
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see
I'll be the light to guide you

Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

[Verse 2:]
If you're tossin' and you're turnin'
And you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you

Oooh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You know...

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh

You can count on me 'cause I can count on you

Horatio is to be considered Hamlet's closest friend throughout the play.  We see him sticking by Hamlet's side through the death of his father, the remarriage of his mother to his uncle, and even when Hamlet is thought to be going through a time of "lunancy" when he believes he sees an apparition, Horatio reinforces Hamlet's sanity through the proclamation that he too had seen the ghost.  (2.2.49).  As Horatio sees the ghost he says, ""Before my God, I might not believe this without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes." (1.1.56-58).  Even as Horatio sees the apparition, he takes it upon himself to get Hamlet involved, asking Marcellus, "Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, as needful in our loves, fitting our duty?" (1.1.72-73).  If it were I, surely I might keep it to myself if I thought I had seen the ghost of my best friend's father, however Horatio thought it was in the best interest of his friend, his duty, that he should inform as to what he saw.

The song Count on Me by Bruno Mars describes the strong relationship between two friends who know that they are there for each other no matter what.  Whether they are "Stuck in the middle of the sea," or "tossing and turning and just can't fall asleep," (Mars).  This song may provide a more in-depth description of these two friends, unlike the play of Hamlet, where it doesn't show the intimate details of their friendship, however, both highlight the strong connection these friends have for each other.   

In the song, Mars writes, "If you ever find yourself in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you,"  I find it parallel to the relationship between Horatio and Hamlet.  Hamlet went through a dark phase in his life after the death of his father and the marriage of his mother to his uncle.    He wore "nighted colour" throughout the play to symbolize the dark period/phase he was going through. (1.2.68).  Although Horatio did come to visit Hamlet, Horatio at first says that he, "came to see your [Hamlet's] father's funeral."  Hamlet replies, "Do not mock me...I think it was to see my mother's wedding."  (1.2.176) (1.2.77-78).  At first, Hamlet believes Horatio came to visit to pay respect to King Hamlet as well as his son, something a true friend would do, however, instead he lies to Hamlet, and instead comes to view the marriage of Hamlet's mother to Claudius.  Mars' song lacks the negative side/dark side a friendship can include such as lying.

The repeated phrase throughout the song, "You can count on me," represents a promise between two people.  Something both Hamlet and Horatio take part in, a secrecy.  Hamlet says, "Consent to Swear," Horatio replies, "Propose the oath, my lord," (1.2.52-53).  They continue to swear to never speak of the ghost they saw that night.  Just as Mars writes, when we count on someone, we rely on them to keep a promise or keep true to their word, just as Hamlet relies on Horatio to keep secret of what the apparition had told him.

Hamlet tells Horatio, "thou art e'en as just a man," meaning that Hamlet views Horatio as an honest and honorable man, someone he could trust. (3.2.37).  Much like the relationship Mars describes in his song. One where two people trust each other, where there is honesty between two individuals.    

When Hamlet leaves for England, it is Horatio that he writes to, the only person he can trust.  After the betrayal of his uncle and mother, Hamlet turns to his friend to give news as he travels to England.  He writes, "I have much to tell thee," (4.5.21).  Knowing that Hamlet can "count on" him to update those in Elsinore of his travels to England.

Finally, in the last few moments of the play Hamlet faces death.  Horatio even begins to consider death as well, joining Hamlet in the afterlife when he says, "Here's yet some liquor left," (5.2.306).  This can be paralleled to Mars' song when he writes, "I'll never let go, never say goodbye."  This shows Horatio's loyalty to Hamlet and how he was willing to give up his own life to be with Hamlet.