Hotspur, Falstaff, King Henry Iv, And Prince Hal - 1335 Words

A person of honor has dignity, high public esteem, and honesty. It is no surprise that Shakespeare doesn’t make the concept of honor simple, specifically in his play King Henry IV: Part One, the word becomes ambiguous. The value and interpretation of the theme changes with each character; some consider the framework as praiseworthy while others argue it is completely insignificant. The characters Hotspur, Falstaff, King Henry IV, and Prince Hal present their own understandings of honor which mirror their personalities and consciousness. In comparing and contrasting each of their translations, the character’s true being is better understood. First, honor in the eyes of the infamous Hotspur. The quick-tempered and impatient military man†¦show more content†¦What gave Hotspur his dignity in the first place is the same thing that took it away. Contrary to Hotspur, Sir John Falstaff’s perspective holds little value to the concept of honor. He insists it is simply just another word and the characters who desire it are fools. On the surface, Falstaff maintains this view throughout the play and in his final soliloquy he directly mocks everything possibly heroic, saying â€Å"What is honor? A word. What is in that word / â€Å"honor†? What is that â€Å"honor†? Air† (5.1.135) and â€Å"Honor is a mere scutcheon. And / so ends my catechism† (5.1.141-142). He thinks the word serves no purpose. To him honor means nothing, it cannot physically fix anything, and has no benefit to people after life. However, some of Falstaff’s actions speak louder than his words. His words might illustrate negativity to the concept but perhaps his public claim is double-edged. It is possible Falstaff is putting on a front because he knows a man like him will never actually obtain greatness. He is a lion who k nows his rank. He understands he will never be idolized so to save him from the embarrassment he pretends like he doesn’t crave the applause. If Falstaff were to worship the idea, he would fail but by lessening its worth makes it much more praiseworthy when he actually does something honorable. Maybe this final soliloquy about honor is not really excusing its value but trying to convince himself that he doesn’tShow MoreRelated Father/Son Relationships in Shakespeares Henry IV, Part One816 Words   |  4 PagesRelationships in Shakespeares Henry IV, Part One    The relationship between a father and his son is an important theme in Shakespeares Henry IV, Part One, as it relates to the two main characters of the play, Prince Hal and Hotspur. These two characters, considered as youths and future rulers to the reader, are exposed to father-figures whose actions will influence their actions in later years. Both characters have two such father-figures; Henry IV and Falstaff for Prince Hal, and the Earl of NorthumberlandRead MoreHamlet by William Shakespeare1097 Words   |  5 PagesFather Figures in 1 Henry IV In William Shakespeare’s 1 Henry IV, Falstaff and King Henry IV share father-figure relationships with Henry â€Å"Hal,† Prince of Wales. The former, a drunk and cavalier knight, acts as a surrogate father to the prince, while the latter, a determined and distanced monarch, is his blood. Yet, who is the better father-figure to Hal? Although Falstaff and Prince Henry share a strong, quasi father-son relationship, the former’s manifestation of the tavern atmosphere, venalityRead MoreEssay on Honor in Prince Hal1001 Words   |  5 PagesHonor in Prince Hal Prince Hal’s destiny is shaped for him by many forces: his association with the neer-do-well Falstaff, the expectations of his father, King Henry IV, and the constant comparison between himself and Hotspur. All three of these forces create in Hal a sense of honor that is an integral part of his education as the ideal king, and throughout the action of Henry IV, Part I, Hal is gaining a knowledge of honor that will shape him into the King that he will become. However, itRead More King Henry IV Part 1 Essay900 Words   |  4 PagesKing Henry IV Part 1 Although most people find it hard to climb out of a whole they have dug themselves into, Prince Hal in Henry IV Part I is able to redeem himself even after the English King and nobility view him as a derelict with no future. He proves himself true to the Royal Throne when he defeats his young rival, Henry Percy. Through the exorcism of his immature ways, he earns himself the succession to the throne. In the opening scene of the play, King Henry hears newsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Henry Iv856 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s play King Henry IV Part One the audience must decide what makes an honorable leader. Throughout the play the main characters, King Henry, Prince Harry, Hotspur, and even Falstaff, help the audience realize what makes up an honorable leader for others to follow. The first character that William Shakespeare wants the audience to look at is King Henry. Henry represents the truth and goodness of the kingdom that he commands. There is some speculation as to how he became King, and rather orRead More The Character of Falstaff in Shakespeares Henry IV, Part I Essay1876 Words   |  8 PagesThe Character of Falstaff in Henry IV, Part I      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeares genius in character and plot development is exemplified in two of his most complex history plays, Richard II and Henry IV, Part I. With these sequential plays, Shakespeare vividly develops characters and sets up complicated plots by juxtapositioning people with others. Specifically, he first creates a binary opposition between Richard and Bolingbrook in Richard II, and then, recalls the plot and carries out an almost mirrorRead MoreThe Development of Chiasmus Potential in I Henry IV by William Shakespeare1108 Words   |  5 Pagesin I Henry IV by William Shakespeare In Shakespeare’s historic play King Henry the Fourth, Part One, the ingenious playwright uses an interesting and powerful method of presenting the honorable by introducing that character at the rock bottom of his potential and, as Hal puts it, breaking through the foul and ugly mists/ Of vapors that did seem to strangle him (I.ii, 155-6). Chiasmus, in Shakespeare’s plays, is the inversion of two characters’ reputation and personality traits. In I Henry IVRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Henry Iv1328 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the play Henry IV part 1, Shakespeare was able to depict the concept of honor through many different individuals. Three main characters that Shakespeare choose to display the concept of honor are Prince Hal, Hotspur and Falstaff. However, each of these characters interpret the word â€Å"honor† differently. Hotspur has an obsession with honor and believes it’s one of the most important roles a leader has to show. He relate s honor to the duties that he serves on the battlefield and repetitionRead MoreThe Conflicting Nature Of Power In Shakespeares King Henry Iv Part 11517 Words   |  7 Pagescharacters in William Shakespeare s King Henry IV Part 1 successfully portray the conflicting nature of power throughout the play and ultimately comment on how aspects of politics are subject to the opinions of spectators. Politics is defined as the process of making decisions applying to all members of each group, involving a variety of groups resulting in the nature of politics changing depending on the participants. The conflict between Prince Hal and King Henry the IV highlight the powerlessness ofRead MoreHals Relationship to His Father vs Falstaff in Shakespeares Henry Iv851 Words   |  4 PagesKing Henry V is one of the greatest kings that ever ruled England and was a favorite among his people. One of the reasons behind this is the presence of two men in his life; his father, King Henry IV, and Sir Joh n Falstaff, his lowlife friend and bar companion. Both men represent two opposite father - figures to the young prince. It is the Prince’s ability to take and acquire the best traits in each that makes him surpass both of them and become great. Prince Hal’s relationship with both men is one