Throughout Shakespeare's Hamlet, the titular character, Hamlet, acts as a histrionic and indecisive college boy, but this personality does not fully characterize him. In many cases, Hamlet proves himself to be an understanding and compassionate prince towards his confidants. Because many of his friends and family have failed him, Hamlet takes on a persona that reveals his conflicted nature where he acts mad but is truly sane. Before Hamlet stages his fictional play, he gives an honest speech to Horatio that reveals Hamlet's more sensitive traits. Hamlet begins his list of praise by explicitly stating that his following words do not flatter Horatio. Since Horatio “[has no income] but your good cheer/To feed and clothe you[,]”, Hamlet sees no need to flatter him (III.ii.60-61). In what seems like an insult to Horatio's poverty, Hamlet actually praises Horatio's cheerful attitude. Hamlet's clever metaphor implies that he humbles himself before Horatio's ability to put on a happy face. This recognition of a positive outlook on life highlights Hamlet's behavior as a fun-loving man. Hamlet wishes he could act like Horatio in the same optimistic way and behave in his natural behavior unlike his standard pessimistic state. He continues his disguised praise with a jab at the courtiers who constantly flatter Hamlet in the hope of reward. Since Hamlet is a royal prince, he is prone to receiving many compliments and bows from people with hidden agendas. To assure Horatio that he means well, Hamlet believes that only "the candied tongue [should] lick the absurd pomp / And bend the pregnant hinges of the knee" (III.ii.62-63). Hamlet's language illustrates a small child who wants candy and flattery to get a... means of paper... of the most vulnerable and tender moments in Hamlet's dialogues. As Hamlet's softer image emerges, he adds new dimensions of his personality where he is not just the angry and mad son but the loving and kind friend. However, Hamlet acts more maniacal than benevolent in the play, and this speech is only a small part of Hamlet's speeches. Hamlet cannot linger in this exposed state and feel “[s]omething too much of this…” (III.ii.76). Although Hamlet confides in Horatio, the situation becomes slightly uncomfortable and Hamlet moves on to his big production. These lines reveal more of Hamlet's personality but also add more mystery as the reader does not know this Hamlet for a long time. The most interesting part of Hamlet is overlooked and fosters an incomplete image of Hamlet, too often emotional and too often misunderstood.