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Power In Shakespeare's Henry IV

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Through this, Shakespeare intends to further the theme of disposition, which is recurrent within all the four plays. The theme of disposition appears again in the conversation between King Henry the fourth and his son Harry (King Henry V) in the second part of Henry IV. While the king lies in his deathbed, he discusses critical matters with his son and heir. The king is troubled by the son’s action of taking the crown even before the king’s demise. With this, King Henry IV is convinced that his son is only interested in power. Here again the theme of power and its role in the disposition of kings come out. The king even states to his son that, "Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours, Were thine without offense "(4.5.2995-3000). The …show more content…

The behavior portrayed by Falstaff at the death of King Henry the fourth in the third play also shows Shakespeare’s intention to highlight the influence of power on the intention of disposition. After hearing of the death of the king, Falstaff is quickly pleased by the thought that his former friend Hal has now become the king; this would therefore grant Falstaff great power within this new found favor with the king. He tells his friend Bardolph to “choose what office though wilt in the land, ‘tis thine” (5.3.3535), which is an act that shows that his friendship towards the prince was only meant to get him closer to the seat of power. Thus, by hearing that King Henry IV is dead, he is well pleased, despite Pistol’s presumption that the news he comes bearing are bad news, whereby on seeing the joy in Falstaff on hearing the news he enquires, “What, I do bring good news?” (5.3.3540-3545). This further shows that it was expected of Falstaff to be saddened by the news of his king and friend’s father. However, Falstaff is only interested in power and the good positions that might come about from holding a major seat close to the new

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