In many stories, the concept of supporting character roles is often overlooked and considered irreverent. However, in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet and Robertson Davies' novel The Fifth Affair, the supporting characters Horatio and Dunstan Ramsay respectively play crucial roles in bringing about the "Fifth Affair". According to Davies, the Fifth Affairs are "those roles which, being neither those of Hero nor Heroine, Confidante or Villain, but which were nevertheless essential to achieve Recognition or denouement" (Davies, Preface). The Fifth Affair depicts a person who is paradoxically a "secondary character", but has the greatest impact on the development of the main character(s) and plot. That being said, Horatio and Dunstan Ramsay both fulfill the role of Fifth Business in their respective texts. , Horatio fulfills the role by being able to provide insight into Hamlet, by being an anchor of reason in the plot, and by being Hamlet's ideal image of a friend. Similarly, in Fifth Business, Dunstan Ramsay fills the role by knowing the character. secret birth of Paul Dempster, witnessing the rise and fall of Boy Staunton and being a strange man without a partner. Although the plot development between Hamlet and Fifth Business is different, Horatio and Dunstan Ramsay are equally successful. satisfying the role of Davies' definition of the Fifth Business. Horatio is arguably the most important supporting character in Hamlet, and his role as Fifth Business clearly demonstrates his importance throughout the play. In order to understand Horatio's role as the Fifth Firm, one must first explore his character and function in the play. Horatio is seen by man...... middle of paper ......iesl, Dunstan fulfills the role by knowing the secret birth of Paul Dempster, witnessing the rise and fall of Boy Staunton, and by being the “odd one out” by achieving single status. Likewise, both characters were designed to be neither the protagonist nor the antagonist. Instead, Horatio and Dunstan Ramsay both play supporting character roles; the plot is not directly focused on them, but rather on the main characters with whom they interact and influence. However, their completion of the Fifth Activity proved to be more than just an important supporting role; they provide the necessary foundation for the development of the main characters and plot.Sources1. Davies, Robertson. Fifth case. Toronto: Penguin, 1977. Print.2. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Betty Bealey. Mississauga, Ontario: Canadian School Book Exchange, 1996. Print.