hamlet, edgar sawtelle contrast Essay Example For Students

hamlet, edgar sawtelle contrast Essay Brittany Travers MS. OBrien English IV 18 January 2013 Comparative Essay 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 Shakespeares drama Hamlet, Horatio and Hamlet have been best friends since there childhood years and have been ever since. In Wroblewskis 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, Horatios loyalty is rock-steady throughout the play. So much that he is Hamlets 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 ghosts appearance. This is one situation in the drama f Hamlet where loyalty is displayed. In Wroblewskis 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 fght 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. Also in the tragedy Hamlet, the bond with both friends is shown in the plays 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 Horatios 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 ones 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. hamlet, edgar sawtelle contrast By btraversl 5