Hotspur and Hal is the main theme in Henry IV part one Essay Example for Free

Hotspur and Hal is the main theme in Henry IV start out integrity EssayThe teleph cardinal line between Hotspur and Hal is the main theme in Henry IV part one and creates an enthr all in alling play. Hal and Hotspur argon total opposites in some ways hardly when examined more shoemakers lastly one actualizes that their moral set are the same. They are both ambitious and determined to succeed but still one washbasin prevail. At the beginning of the play Henry IV draws a clear contrast between Hotspur and his boy, whose record is sullied by riot and dis maintain. The king then goes so far as to wish they had been exchanged when infants, so strongly does he feel the difference between them. There are many examples of the way that the both slew non exist at the same date. Hal and Hotspur are both heroes who want to win. Falstaff is the other main character in the play. Falstaff has a totally different view on prize to that of Hotspur. This is sh profess in Act II wh en Falstaff runs outside from the 2 robbers, he values his safety often more than his reputation. Hotspur would never think about doing anything bid that he would prefer to chip. In between these two extreme ideas of honour is Halthroughout the play Shakespeare juxtaposes from one background to a nonher. One scene may be rattling solemn and serious and then the coterminous scene amusing. For instance Act II scene lead is not one of merriment and mirth, Hotspur duologue about the uprising and how serious it is getting. The next scene, Act II scene iv, shows Hal in the tavern jest with Falstaff. Shakespeare juxtaposes to show the contrast between Hal and Hotspur. The juxtaposition shows how each hero copes with the situations that they find themselves in. It similarly shows how two deal pass water different qualities and they are two different types of drawing cards. Shakespeare is asking what qualities does a wide leader possessesAs his nickname suggests, Harry Percy is an impulsive and reckless character that acts first and thinks later. His bra precise and rashness are the two qualities constantly commented on by the other characters in the play. Henry sees Percy as a young idol of fight, Mars in swathling clothes and says he is acknowledged by all as the holder of soldiery title capital. He is regarded as the great(p)est soldier in Europe. On the whole it is his bra actually(prenominal) which impresses them most, for them he is the epitome of honour, the living example of those chivalric values to which a noble youth should aspire. By the final stage of the play however, we have had an opportunity to see Hotspur in perspective and our appraisal of him is not so favour satisfactory. We watch that, brave and likeable as he is, his pursuit of honour is dangerously obsessive, so much so that it leads him to threaten the peace and unity of the kingdom. His ca mapping however is right, Mortimer has more right to the throne than Henry. He is actually proud and would hate to look anything but the best.At the conclusion of the play Falstaff reduces honour to an exonerate concept. For Falstaff invigoration is valuable and moldiness be preserved at any price. He sees the brave Sir Walter Blunts corpse and exclaims Theres honour for you Yet he confesses a moment later, that he has deliberately allowed his men to be obliterateed in monastic order to line his declare pockets. Give me life which if I can save, so if not, honour comes unlooked for, and theres an end Falstaffs indication of honour licenses him to do anything so long as his own life is preserved. If we are in interrogative that Falstaffs honour is as dangerous and empty an idea as Hotspurs, then we are finally persuade by his shocking mutilation of Hotspurs corpse. The irony, of course, is that Falstaff commits this cowardly act in order to hit the rewards of the honour he despises. among the two extreme attitudes to honour is the figure of Hal. At the beginning of the play, as his father points out, his reputation is the very opposite of Hotspurs. As the play goes on Hal begins to present a changed public image. The rebel Veronon describes his preparations for war in terms which depict Hal as the very soul of honour. Being honourable doesnt turn over you a slap-up leader it is the opposite in fact. Hal is a good leader and he is quite dishonourable, Hotspur is the epitome of honour but isnt a good leader. To be a good leader you need to be able to use rhetoric and be very cunning and a bit dishonest. Hotspur is none of these and this is why he is not a good leader.Hal is the central character in the play and in his progress to maturity date we see a princes education as he learns the nature and responsibilities of kingship. Hal has a reputation for being part of a low life circle that spend most of their time getting drunk, womanising and thieving. Hal is sly and under attain this is shown in his soliloquy at the end of Act 1 scene ii. He says that he is assured of the nature of his tavern companions but get out put up with their idleness for a while. He entrust imitate the sun by allowing himself to be c overed with clouds, so that when he reappears it will be amazing, My reclamation glittering oer my fault shall show more goodly and attract more eyes In some ways this is quite childish and immature. For just as Hotspur is over anxious to monopolise honour, Hal here seems over anxious to present his reclamation in the most dramatic way. Hal has no pride in himself until his reformation when he becomes the prince he should be.Hotspur shows his dislike for rhetoric and his acknowledge of truth in Act III. Glendower talks of disturbances of a heavenly and earthly nature at his birth at my birth the front of heaven was profuse of raging shapes, Hotspur contradicts these comments. Glendower continues talking about how he is magical. Here Hotspur shows his impulsive side by axiom to Glendower, let me not understand you then Speak it in rip off, meaning that no men speaks better Welsh (talks nonsense and brags). Hotspur doesnt like the way Glendower uses rhetoric relentlessly. He prefers to speak the straightforward truth. From this childish exchange we gain further insight into Hotspurs character, he cannot bear to think that someone else could share glory and honour with him. This in like manner shows that he would prefer to speak the truth rather than do up stories.Hal on the other hand loves to talk in rhetoric and uses it all of the time. He is very good at using language to get his own way. This is shown in Act III scene ii. In this scene we see the business leader and the Prince together for the first time. The King says that Hal must have been sent by God to punish his own mistreadings. The King cant understand why in spite of his royal blood Hal is so given over to vulgar pleasures with his unfavourable companions such barren pleasures, rude society. Hal is hurt a nd in a subdued and remorseful mood replies that he is not guilty of everything that he is charged with. He says that the stories are malicious input and asks for forgiveness As well as I am doubtless I can scour Myself of many I am charg withal.The King then goes on to talk about how little assess people have for Hal and how he has lost his place on the council thy place in council thou hast impolitely lost. Hal is obviously hurt by the extent to which he has lost his fathers affection and respect and in a passionate speech s have ons he will redeem himself and kill Hotspur, I will redeem all this on Percys head. We know that Hal is very cunning so he might actually be belie that he is hurt by what his father says so that he can win back his affections. In this scene we see an facial gesture of Hal that makes him a good leader. He can use rhetoric and acting to get his own way. This is something that Hotspur never does as he prefers to be up front and honest.This is a very i mportant scene for other causes besides the rhetoric and the reconciliation of the King and the Prince. Here we are made aware of the essential part that the rivalry plays in Henry IV Part 1. In the very first scene of the play we noticed how Henry compares the two, to Hals disadvantage Hotspur is everything he would like his own son to be. Hal and Hotspur are each conscious of the others pursuits in Act 1 Scene iii Hotspur calls Hal that same sword-and-buckler Prince of Wales bit in Act II scene iv Hal characterizes Hotspur as a murderous hothead. Neither judgement reveals the respect they feel for each other.Now we see that their rivalry is to be crucial to the salvation, not only of Hals character, but of the kingdom. The personal and semipolitical threads of the play are entwined, and we are prepared for the climax, the single bit of Hal and Hotspur in Act V In Act V scene v. When they are about to fight Hal says Hotspur is a very valiant rebel but that they can no longer sh are in glory. Two stars cannot move in one course and England cannot have a double reign of Hal and Hotspur. It shall not replies Hotspur, for the hour is come, To end the one of us This really shows the great respect that they have for each other. Shakespeare is saying that to be a good leader you need to be able to use language to your advantage.In Act IV scene I we see one of many scenes that show how impatient and impetuous Hotspur is. Hotspur receives a letter from his father saying that he will not be bringing serviceman as he is sick. Hotspur exclaims that Northumberlands sickness infects the whole enterprise, Tis catching hither, even to our camp This has greatly reduced the issuance of troops available for fighting and really they should postpone the attack until other soldiers arrive. Hotspur says that his fathers absence will make their business seem all the more heroic and daring (thus adding to his own honour), It lends a lustre and more great opinion, A larger dare to our enterprise. So they decide to go ahead with the attack against the wishes of Worcester. For Hotspur war is not regarded as something terrible and destructive but is simply a means of more glory. At the end of Act I Scene ii he shows his immature attitude, O, let the hours be short, savings bank fields and blows and groans applaud our sportHal is in no way impatient and impetuous, Hal is scheming and thinks about what he has to do rather than rushing in. He knows what he wants this is shown in his soliloquy in Act I. This is one of the reasons why he is a really good leader. He doesnt get flustered, he holds his cards close to his chest.Hotspur has a bad temper that flares up over of the slightest thing. He is depicted as a fiery red head who acts first and thinks later, even his name suggests this. In Act I scene iii Hotspur is in the court with the King. Hotspur is refusing to give the King any prisoners unless he pays ransoms for Mortimer who has been captured. The king refu ses saying that Mortimer is a treasonist redeem a traitor home, Let him starve on the Welsh mountains This is too much for Hotspur who locomote into one of his tempers and exclaims revolted Mortimer.He tries to explain that Mortimer fought bravely for the king Those mouth wounds, which valiantly he took, When on the drab Severns sedgy bank. Henry doesnt listen and departs from the court. Hotspur is beside himself with rage he wants to express his feelings even at the risk of his own safety, and attempts to follow the King An if the devil come pule for them, I will not send them he will not give up the prisoners. He is restrained by his father, but continues to rant. This is the reason that the rebellion begins. Hotspur doesnt think straight when he is in one of his tempers and is lucky that his father was there to restrain him. This is also an example of the way that Hotspur takes action rather than thinking about it.Hal is cool headed but can be nasty towards Falstaff. He knows that one day soon he will have to break his ties with Falstaff. darksome spile Hal knows that Falstaff is a thief, and a king cannot be friends with him. As the play draws on Hal drifts slowly outside(a) from Falstaff. In the midst of the battle Falstaff offers Hal a bottle of wine instead of a weapon, Hal angrily throws it back, underlining the larger-than-life circumstance by his question is it a time to jest and dally now. Hal has realized when play must stop and serious life begin, but Falstaff has not. A number of times during the play Hal blames Falstaff of corrupting him but it is the other way round. Hal is the corrupter. In act V scene iv Falstaff stabs Hotspurs dead body and pretends that he has killed him. He says that Hal is lying and did not kill Hotspur. Hal isnt angry with him and even offers him help. This shows that Hal has not completely tired of Falstaffs company. He is torn between princely leadership and princely fun.Hotspur is extremely ambitious. He believ es that he can do anything he wants to. He believes he can pluck bright honour from the moon- An if the devil come roar for them I will not send them. This shows how Hotspur has the utmost confidence in himself. Sometimes his ambition can over rule reason. His main ambition in life is to get honour. Since he wants to monopolize honour, he must surpass any possible rival, in this case Hal. Hotspur rebels against the king because he feels that his honour is be by the Percys association with what he calls this ingrate and cankered Bolingbroke. He doesnt wants to be King. He is just trying to do what he believes is right.Mortimer is the rightful King and even though to rebel is wrong in this case it is right. entirely what is honour. In act V Falstaff explicitly states his notion of honour. He wittily reduce honour to an empty concept. The difference between Hal and Hotspur is that Hals attitude to honour is incomplete obsessive nor unreflective. Hal certainly wants to gain honour a nd defeat Hotspur, but he does not lack a sense of proportion or of the human approach of war. When Hal makes his challenge it is as much to save blood on either side. When Hotspur wishes for single combat with Hal I feel that he does so because it might increase the glory for him if he wins.We first see Hotspurs sequestered life in Act II scene iii. At his castle in Northumberland where he has get a letter he is not happy about. His wife Kate enters and shows her concern for him. In this scene we see a tender side of Hotspur we have not seen until now and will not see much of again. She is worried about why for the past few weeks he has been so distant and preoccupied For what law-breaking have I this fortnight been A banishd woman from my Harrys bed. Hotspur changes the subject, but it is brought straight back up by Kate.He says that this is a world for battles not for love. When Hotspur tells her he does not love her, Kate seems upset by this and is not sure if he is joking o r not. But, says Hotspur, when he is on his horse then he will swear he loves her And when I am o horseback, I will swear I love thee infinitely. He reassures her, saying Whither I go, there shall you go too. This view of Hotspur with his wife allows us to see that he is not completely rash and unfeeling. Most noblemen wouldnt let their wifes burn up the battle field but Hotspur wants her near and she is going to follow the next day. His exchanges with his wife reveal a tender and affectionate aspect of his character, an aspect that he represses in pursuit of honour.Hal has a different social life to Hotspur. He spends most of his time in the tavern with his friends. He drinks and plays practical jokes on other people. He is very quick witted and loves to use rhetoric. There is no sign of him having any lady friends as he was probably too reside drinking. Falstaff is a womaniser but there is no reason to make us believe that Hal is too. He never seems to get anxious or get cross h e is too cool headed.Hotspur seems to be over positive, he always seems to be sure that he is right and that the rebels will win. He doesnt wear his heart on his sleeve and covers up his feelings so that it doesnt make him look weak, but thickset down or subconsciously he is quite nervous about the rebellion. This is shown in Act II scene iii. In his sleep he has murmured of war and weapons. His wife says In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watchd and heard thee murmur tales of iron wars Hotspur might look confident on the surface but deep down is he. Hotspur is a great competitor and doesnt like to lose, he wants to reign supreme. Hal doesnt like losing, this is another reason that Henry IV part 1 is such a great play. The rivalry is phenomenal and neither wants to lose but only one can triumph.Hal on the other hand is quietly confident about everything that he is going to do. This is shown in the soliloquy in Act I. As the play goes on he becomes more and more self-assured. In Act II Hal becomes extremely confident, in some ways over confident, after he has listened to his father telling him that he is failing him Hal states that he will kill Hotspur. It is a bit presumptuous of him seeing as Hotspur is the greatest soldier in Britain at that time. Hal must have spent time training and learning how to fight when he was younger or he must have been learning in between being in the tavern, he knew that his time would come.Throughout the play Shakespeare asks questions about leadership and what characteristics you need to have to be a good leader. Shakespeare exaggerates Hal and Hotspurs faults, this is because he is querying political power. He is hinting that all political power is corrupt. What is power and how do you get it? He shows that the better leader will be the one that can use language to manipulate people.Hotspur has some very good characteristics but he is not a good leader. Hotspur needs to play the political game, you cant be honest and be a good leader. The play also shows that you will get punished if you rebel. The characteristics that your must have to be a good leader are being dishonourable, using language to great effect, being ambitious but not shouting about it, being dishonest and being very cunning. These are the qualities that Hal posses, even though Hotspur is probably the better person morally he has not got the characteristics to be a good leader.