Henry IV, the Duke of Lancaster - Assignment Example

Written Assignment 8 At the end of Richard II, Henry IV was astute enough to be able to come back to English upon his fathers death take over the title of the Duke of Lancaster and dethrone Richard II based on the fact that the previous banishment no longer existed as he was no longer the same man. Henry IV also known as Bolingbroke was astute enough to make sure he was loved by both the commoner and royalty as he knew he would need both if he were to get the crown. Upon his taking of the throne, Richard is accidently murdered by one of his courtiers but Henry IV suffers until his own death from guilt. This is a sign of morality which we only hear repeat itself upon his death bed. "So please your Majesty, I would I could quit all offenses with as clear excuse as well as I am doubtless I can purge myself of many I am charged withal."(Prince Hal,III,ii) We find out in this scene what is really bothering Henry IV. He had to stay in the background in fear of humiliating himself because of Hal. "like a robe pontifical". This shows how reputation or honor was important. He was egotistical as he considered it important what others thought of him. Henry IV is a proud man. He thinks himself superior and more intelligent than those around him but doesnt have the energy he had in Richard II. "My blood hath been too cold and temperate, …I will henceforth rather be myself, mighty and to be feared,…."(King Henry,I,iii) He goes on to say that his jolly nature made him loose the respect that had for him because they feared him. He knows he came to the throne because he was responsible for the death of Richard. He knew he could only control the country by force. He is showing his hypocritical side as he also had to take second place to hide from the poor behavior of his son. Here he got rid of a king who lived the party life for everyone to see and his son was just like him. He is also deeply ashamed for his sons behavior and what he did to Richard II, his cousin. Shakespeare shows his dominant side as being rather pathetic. In part II, he is old and rather sentimental in trying to get Prince Harrys love. He did have other children. Prince Harry is shown as a kind person who likes the good life. We do not know until Act III of part I that he is dispute with his father. It is questionable if he really wants to resolve the dispute or he is being manipulative in order to have access to the throne. "I am good friends with my father and may do anything" (Hal,III,iii) In His relationship with Falstaff is one of joking around but Hal is always there to get Falstaff out of his financial debt who makes a comment that they usually cost him double every time the prince pays them off. "Come, shelter, shelter: I have removd Falstaffs horse, and he frets like a gummd velvet"(Pointz,II,ii) Falstaff hates walking. "I have procured thee, Jack, a charge of foot." (Hal, III,iii) to take a troop of foot soldiers to battle. It is hardly an act of kindness. His jokes become more and more severe. When his father dies, he "[has] turned away from my former self. So will I those that kept me company. When thou dost hear I am as I have been…."(King Henry V,V,v) The fault he shares with his father is that they both turned on those who helped them in life. Neither of them had any gratitude or appreciated those who were close. King Henry IV on his death bead talks about the wrongs he did without any remorse. Prince Harry will have his own difficult time. 2. "By what bypaths and indirect crookd ways I met this crown, and I myself know well…."(King,IV,iii) But as an honor snatched with boistrous hand, and I had many living to upbraid. He is talking about the Percy familys reminding him that it is because of their help that he became king"For what in me was purchased fall upon thee in a more rairer sort." He is making a reference that Prince Harry has earned the right to the crown by inheriting it. He earned it because the King gave it up. Harry does not have the full right that should be because the country is still in civil war "Therefore, my Harry, be it thy course to busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out, may waste the memory of the former days." 3. "A purse of gold most resolutely snatched on Monday night and most dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning" (Prince,I,ii)Each time he speaks of an inappropriate behavior, he contradicts himself by talking about the sheriff, the courts, the hangman…) Shakespeare is using this as a double but also to show what is to come in Part 2. He starts out as a rascal to turn completely on Falstaff when he becomes king. He is sarcastic and doesnt appreciate Falstaffs friendship."I see a good amendment of life in thee, from praying to purse-taking"(I,ii) He is manipulative as he starts in Act 1 playing with everyones emotions as whether he is going to robbed with the group. He likes the idea but he also likes the idea of being in control. "Hang thyself in thine own heir-apparent garters! If I be taken, Ill peach for this….let a cup of sack be my poison--when a jest is so forward, and afoot too! I hate it."(Falstaff,II,ii) Up to Act III, Prince Hal is seen as a version of todays play boy. He plays jokes, he cheats and he lies. In Act III, we see his true role. Henry IV compared Hal to Richard II. Both lost their reputations and promised to do better at one point. "As thou art to this hour was Richard then when I from France set foot at Ravenspurph, and even as I was then Percy now.", Shakespeare uses two sets of doubles: Richard II and Prince Harry then Henry IV and Percy. Harry promises to redeem himself and his father says only when he kills 100 000 rebels will he have gained back his trust. For the first time, Prince Hal seems to have taken heed when he sees Falstaff again, his jokes take on a new light. He gives the role of a foot soldier to Falstaff, knowing that he hated walking. He goes to battle Falstaff honor is only a word Battle of Shrewsbury Act IV, i-ii Harry & Hotspur opposites Harry warrior prince "and gorgeous as the sun at midsummer" Prince Hal as known by his friend Falstaff appears to be a bufon, a money spender, a scoundrel, a lier, a playboy. The list goes on. In part I, Shakespeare waits until Act III, ii for a major transition point. Henry is obviously feeling contempt for having dethroned Richard II. He is scared that Hotspur who obviously has the blood right to the throne has the ability to get Harry over to his side in which time Henry would be dethroned and the war would be lost. Henry uses his fatherly tactic comparing Hal to Richard II refering to their lifestyles as they were not kingly in their actions. Henry also needs Hals support He humiliates Falstaff by setting up a plot to steal from him. He eventually robs from Falstaff and returns the money. Everything is a game to Prince Hal. He bribes Francis. "Wilt thou rob this leathern jerkis, crystal-button….."(Prince Henry,II,iv) IV,iv He started to manifest a strong devotion to his nation, his lineage and his family inheritance as king. ancestral loyalty 1. We have all known people like Falstaff, a legendary character within this play who is a veritable oxymoron (made up of contradictory truths): a man of intelligence whose actions (or lack thereof) and words, though often amusing, do not promote his success in the world. Examine the strengths and character flaws or weaknesses in Falstaff, and support your discussion by citing specific incidents and examples of his actions, speeches, and what others say about him (include short supporting direct quotes from the play). Quotes to Note "The better part of valor is discretion ..." (Falstaff, Henry IV Pt. 1, V, iv) "He hath eaten me out of house and home." (Hostess Quickly, Henry IV Pt. 2, II, i). Honor which should be associated with knighthood, is only a word. He steals for the pleasure of the game and then he humiliates himself afterwards. He always has Harry paying his debts and is always in a drunkard stupor. He likes to party. He likes to exaggerate; to live the good life. He considers Harry a good friend. Falstaff seems to know the true character of Prince Hal. […."art indeed able to corrupt a sant.](II,ii)He goes on blaming Prince Hal as having corrupted Falstaff and saying that he wished to have mended his ways. Read More