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Essays on king henry iv part 1
Essays on king henry iv part 1
King henry v character analysis
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In Shakespeare’s play, King Henry IV Part 1, Hotspur’s speech to King Henry, in attempt to explain why he did not free prisoners when ordered to do so by the courtier, employs that he is an impetuous leader that is incapable of consistently obtaining respect. Hotspur says that the courtier confronted him after the battle, and that the man was, “neat, and trimly dressed, / Fresh as a bridegroom” (I.3.32-33). The man is composed and feminine, which prominently disgusts Hotspur. His repugnance of “neat” is looked down upon by King Henry, and is not respected by those Hotspur entails respect from. Hotspur is a hasty soldier that evidently contains no tolerance for weakness, fear, or even the slight details of courtly behavior.
Until Bronfenbrenner (1994), developmental psychologists couldn’t get out their comfort zone concerning the strange activities of children and their development. Bronfenbrenner however proposed a theory that had a huge impact on this matter. This theory was based on the effect of environmental factors, which the development occurs, what he called ‘Ecological models’ (pg. 38). He divided this topic into five subsystems: Microsystems, Mesosystems, Exosystems, Macrosystems, Chronosystems. The simplest one them all is microsystems, which includes social interactions and roles, relations with others.
“ Whose honor is greater than the King’s? “ ( Henry II) . King Henry II and Becket friendship came to an end when King Henry constituted that anybody found guilty would be punished. Beckett felt that the rule was absurd and fled England for six years. King Henry II even spoke to his men about killing Beckett if he ever returned .
He values loyalty to family over loyalty to the King, and thus joins in Glendower and companies plot to overthrow Henry IV. Given the legitimacy issues tied up with the death of Richard, Henry IV’s predecessor this is an interesting decision to make, given the complications
King Henry demonstrates to his men that he himself is not unwilling to die for England’s “cause”, and that such a death is honorable; establishing his character as belonging to a man who will not ask any other man to do that which he is not willing to do himself, to his men. This has an interesting effect on the
Henry V grew up amidst tavern people before he became King, because of the way he was raised he was able to convey well with all of his men unconcerned of their rank or status. Henry was in a position where he had around 10,000 soldiers that were worn down and in a mindset of defeat already, compared to the 50,000 fresh French soldiers. His speech was the turning point in the war and this was before the battle started thanks to the way he was able to make all of his men feel equal and accounted for causing a victory in the battle. But we will be remembered’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brother; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.
Question 1: The poetic element that informs my thematic reading of this passage and Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part One as a whole is metaphors. The passage in Act 1, Scene 2 uses a metaphor when the Prince states, “Yet herein will I imitate the sun, Who doth permit the base contagious clouds To smother up his beauty from the world…” Using the sun and clouds to convey the Prince’s message, we can interpret his intention to put on a show of being difficult to control, headstrong prince. The Prince compares himself to the sun, which allows the clouds to obscure its beauty for a limited time, but then emerges in all its glory and is appreciated all the more for it.
Moreover, Hal retains the desire for elimination as well as rejection. As he grows older, Hal begins to reject Falstaff because of his advanced position as the King of England. By becoming king, Hal no longer has time for him and his foolishness. Although Hal sees Falstaff as a preposterous man, he is in countless ways comparable to him according to Hattaway’s article: “Material body of Falstaff, standing for commodity, revelry, lasciviousness, and makes him a political figure scarcely a focus for mere ‘comic relief’” (26). Hal’s rejection of Falstaff includes distancing himself from him in order to achieve a higher reputation as king.
The guest-host relationship was very common in ancient literature; the epic of Gilgamesh was the first example of this relationship and brought insight to how significant these roles were. Gilgamesh had to portray both roles of the relationship in spite of him being king. He was often a guest to those of lower social hierarchy ranks. However, after Enkidu passes away, Gilgamesh acts differently towards those around him with more generosity and compassion. The Old Testament also presents the guest-host relationship on multiple occurrences.
King Henry is portrayed to us as the main leader within the English ranks and an important component of their strategy. One characteristic of Henry’s leadership is that he is able to forge close connections with his men. During the Battle of Harfleur, we see him describe his men as “dear
Throughout William Shakespeare’s 1597 History “The First Part of King Henry the Fourth”, the importance of individual reputation proves to be a catalyst for character advancement and plot development alike. King Henry’s repeated emphasis on the superior characteristics of himself and Hotspur earlier in the scene establish a dichotomy between the ideal leader and Prince Henry. In a rebuttal to his father 's disapproving tone, Hal vows to reclaim both his honor as a prince and his honor as a son. Shakespeare’s use of language through lines 129-159 in act III.2 foreshadows events to come while reinforcing Prince Henry’s earlier assertion that he will be the victor when battling Hotspur.
Once he sets a goal, he uses every resource and focuses all his energy on accomplishing that goal; clearly, he takes his position as a king very seriously. He claims that he does not have the privilege of the ‘untroubled’ sleep of a common man indicating that he is dedicated to fulfilling his obligations as a leader. Furthermore, Shakespeare intends for us to view Henry as a hero by making him seem so committed to his responsibilities above his own personal feelings. (Source B)
Henry’s flawed nature and inner desire to be morally upright are revealed as he escapes the battle and as he justifies himself
Saint Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers and, through his speech, Henry shows the roots of his lower status because, usually, a king of England would have no need of knowing. Henry connects with his men further by greatly lowering himself to their level. He dismantles any thoughts of superiority by saying things like, “I am not covetous for gold, nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; it yearns me not if men my garments wear; such outwards things dwell not in my desires: but if it be a sin to covet honor, then I am the most offensive man alive.” (IV.3.26). Henry’s men, if they believe him, can see that he cares about honor more than his kingly possessions.
Hotspur is short-tempered and impatient man who is always concerned about honor. Falstaff on the other hand, is a fat, thieving old man that lives on the nasty side of England who doesn’t put much thought towards honor. These two characters are play two different roles and are quite different, like their views of honor, in Shakespeare’s play, Henry IV, Part One. Hotspur is committed to honor, and to him honor is something to seek out, to have and use. In King Henry IV, when Hotspur speaks of honor he says, “By heaven methinks it were an easy leap, To pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon, Or