Horatio vs. Ophelia: Who's the Better Friend?

In the famous play "Hamlet" by Shakespeare, the dynamics between many relationships are revealed through the speech patterns of each character. The most crucial relationships to understand are those that are connected closely to Hamlet, highlighting his interaction with his two closest friends: Horatio and Ophelia. Shakespeare indirectly demonstrates the relationships of Horatio and Ophelia with the protagonist, focusing primarily on what the two characters say and how they phrase their words. By creating two characters who have close relationships to Hamlet, Shakespeare is able to offer the audience a deeper view into the differences generated by contrasting speech patterns. Both Ophelia and Horatio's speeches expose a deep care and compassion for Hamlet, while at the same time exhibiting a conflict in terms of how they deal with the protagonist in his manic outbursts. Horatio's spoken pattern seems to question the insanity of his best friend, while Ophelia's words seem to primarily offer a sympathetic expression for her lover. Horatio and Ophelia's discrete relationships with Hamlet are readily reflected upon in their speech patterns: Horatio's curious, yet supportive diction and Ophelia's naive, yet understanding locution.