Analysis Of The Central Themes From Shakespeare 's Henry Iv

Prince Hal’s destiny is shaped for him by many forces: his association with the ne'er-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, it seems that Hal ultimately chooses one form on honor over the other, although he must compare the honor of Falstaff and the conceptual honor of a chivalric hero before he comes to a final conclusion.

Hotspur, on the other hand, is always seen as "honorable" even though he has caused this whole war; there is no way, therefore, for anyone to correctly say what brings honor and what dishonors. The second time the word "honor" appears in the play, it is on the lips of Hotspur, who is damning the King and urging his father and Worcester to "redeem / [their] banish'd honors and [to] restore [them]selves..." (I, iii). The reader can easily see Shakespeare's notion that the concept of honor and its embodiment seldom come together in the reality of a single person—certainly the way that Hotspur wants his father and uncle to redeem themselves (by dethroning the king) is not very honorable, yet his honor is from battles won in the king's name. So despite his treasonous thoughts, his honor from battle remains with him for the rest of his life, as even the prince calls him "valiant." (V, i) Both Hotspur and the King believed in the undegenerate chivalric conception of honor, which was a lofty one. Under it, trial by battle, and war, became religious affairs. Hotspur also talks of "honor" as a symbol for a trophy of victory: he

Honor is one of those concepts that is seldom defined. One’s reputation is based on his or her honor, integrity, honesty, and purity. William Shakespeare’s Henry IV is a one of his many plays that deal with the varying ideas of honor, as well as issues of courage, loyalty, and ambition, interposing examples of dishonor, weakness, and the deceitful plots among both the drunkards and noblemen. Shakespeare utilizes suggestive metaphors to create illusions, imagery, and to reinforce the different views of the major issues people were faced with in his time and in ours. His plays often focus on the imagery, either on some obvious important symbol, or some image pattern that recurs throughout the work. Readers are

Throughout the history of the world, honor has been an important part of life. In literature, as well, honor plays an important role in many plots and the development of almost any character. Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. In this comedy about love and marriage, honor is revealed as the primary reason for many of the actions taken by several different characters. When Claudio breaks off his wedding with Hero, he does it because he believes she is not chastised as she claims to be and in being such, she would dishonor him as well as her father if the marriage were to proceed as planned. The play is an accurate depiction of the honor code and the different standards for men and women of the time in regards to

Honor in the Anglo-Saxons is an important and respected aspect, mostly due to the fact that leaders commonly displayed this trait. Beowulf is the best example of honor in Anglo-Saxon literature because he is a leader and is often trying to lead by example by being a honorable man. He essentially says that it is only fair that he fights Grendel how Grendel will fight him, weaponless. Beowulf says, “That I, alone and with the help of my men, / May purge all evil from this hall, I have heard, / Too, that the monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. / Nor will I. My lord Higlac / Might think less of if I let my sword…” which shows how he values honor and in the same light he is a fair man. Honor in The Seafarer is very similar in the sense that the protagonist is mourning the loss of his lord and essentially his

Falstaff’s soliloquy questioning the value of honour is an ironic contrast with how Hotspur and Hal regard honour. By now the contrast between their highly ordered morality and Falstaff’s own moral disorder is obvious. Falstaff’s inclusion at this point, when Hal has left his side and moved on, is necessary to point out the differing morality between the two, which was once so similar. Falstaff is of paramount importance to the sub-plot dealing with Hal’s decision between continuing his carefree lifestyle or maturing into the role he is destined to play as a respected prince and later king. This soliloquy continues the theme of another of Falstaff’s in Act 4 Scene 2, in which he is equally undisturbed by his amorality, and shows that his highest concern is for his own well being.

Some would say that honor is a thing of the past; a thing long since extinct with the King Arthur and the knights of the round table. In fact, it is not, it is real and can still be seen all around through people all the time. In Charles Dicken’s novel, A Tale of Two Cities, honor and dishonor are main themes that are exemplified and enacted through many characters. To be honorable, or to act in honor, is to act in a way that is not necessarily socially acceptable, but is morally right, noble, and kind. To be dishonorable is to neglect the basic responsibility of treating every human being in the respectful manner they deserve, giving no variance to rank or status. Throughout the book different men show varying degrees of honor and dishonor.

Throughout Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part One, multiple characters seem to have different variations on what the word “honour” (or “honor”) actually means and/or what it entails. The word itself can be traced back to the Old French word “honore” with a general association with high respect or great esteem; however, as time went on, the word “honour” can be associated with a variety of meanings in the form of both a noun and a verb (OED). Through the characters of Hotspur, the Prince of Wales, and Falstaff, we see how the theme of honour does not have a definite meaning, but rather meanings specific to each characters that, in turn, leads them to take particular actions throughout the play. We are first introduced to Henry Percy, also known as Hotspur, in the beginning of the play when King Henry IV is admiring all of the

Honour is perhaps one of 1 King Henry IV’s central themes, it is a concept that is multifaceted with the definitions varying with characters. For some characters honour is synonymous with an individuals battle glory, striving to forge their reputation on deeds of valor and courage. Disjointedly, for the amoral rogue Falstaff, honour is nothing but “hot air”, and a “mere scutcheon” that can be open to manipulation for the purpose of self-gain. Despite the recurrent relationship between honour and self-interest, through the character of Hal, Shakespeare reveals that the true conception of honour demands equivalence and benevolence, and a superseding ability to uphold others interest about our own.

On the hierarchy of Elizabethan England, King Henry IV occupies the highest rank and is viewed as God’s vessel on Earth. Therefore, his upper class status should provide him with the authority to do as he pleases without restriction. It is however, Sir John Falstaff, a disreputable knight, who maintains the more advanced grade of freedom. King Henry IV is presented, to the readers, as a traditional hero with valuable morals and a strong will. However, his character is not of his own accord, rather it is the fabrication of the restrictions placed upon him by his role in society. As the king is scolding his son for living a life deemed unfit for a ruler he

However, throughout the play there is never really a consistent definition, as the multiple main characters share different perceptions of what honour is about. These varying perceptions of honour can be seen through Shakespeare’s chosen way of representing the characters, where some characters represent his opinion of honour whilst others may reveal the more common perception of honour during his time. Shakespeare used these characters to sort of hide different thoughts and to expose the common perception to not always lead to success. For example, Hotspur feels that honour is gained through glory in battle either by overthrowing royalty or defending one’s reputation from others. Hotspur is rather confident in his position as prince when he says in Act 1, “A son who is the theme of honour’s tongue, Amongst a grove the very straightest plant”.

Shakespeare creates a composite view of honor in Henry IV part I, that challenges its existence. From the opening speech, we see the characters struggle to grasp its complexity. Throughout the entire play, they toy back and forth with the distinctions and social expectations of both internal and external honor. Allowing themselves to fight an internal struggle with the conflicting views, weight and consistency of an honor that doesn’t truly exist.

A word”. The hypophora used is highly effective in criticizing the notion of honour, as Falstaff provides a simple answer with an abrupt tone. Falstaff’s opinion of honour is used to oppose previous beliefs held by the King and Hal, hence, Shakespeare provides his audience with an alternative view on honour. Shakespeare displays the notions of “people and politics” through the fatherly figures of Falstaff and the King, and their differing political

Shakespeare lived in the 1500s and 1600s, and the meanings of honor and ambition he would have been accustomed to were not necessarily the same as the ones used today. According to an online etymological dictionary, ambition in the 1300s was defined as “a striving for favor, courting, flattery; a desire for honor, thirst for popularity” (www.etymonline.com). Again using the same site, honor in the 1200s and 1300s had several meanings, “glory, renown, fame earned” (1200s), or “nobleness of character or manners” (1300s), as well as the verb honor which could mean “action of honoring or paying respect to” (1300s) (www.etymonline.com). These definitions are exemplified in the play. Brutus, who claimed that “…I love the name of honor more than I fear death”

William Shakespeare's Henry V William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and influential writers of all time. His plays not only portray the past, but also aspects of love and hate, humour and tragedy. Henry V, written by Shakespeare, using Raphael Holinshed's historical chronicles, appealed to many of the citizens of that time, as it presented an insight into their country's past, as well as 'feel-good' nationalism. It would have been performed on stage at a time when Henry VIII had secluded the country of all contact with the Church of Rome. Providing the audience with its country's past glories and triumphs, the play counter-acts this feeling of seclusion and loss of identity with