With close reference to Shakespeare’s language discuss how the characters of the Prince of Wales and Hotspur are portrayed in Henry IV Part 1
With close reference to Shakespeare's language discuss how the characters of the Prince of Wales and Hotspur are portrayed in Henry IV Part 1.
In Henry IV, Part 1; Shakespeare contrasts the two characters, Prince Henry and Hotspur. The characters are complete opposites but have a common goal. They both want to be respected. Hotspur signals his intentions from the start but it is only as you get further on in the play that you realise that Hal has the same ambitions. This play chronicles the rise and fall of Hotspur and Hal's rise from being the innocuous prince to a heroic heir in one play.
In Act One, Scene One, the king says: "Yea, there thou mak'st me sin in envy, that my Northumberland should be a father to so blest a son." Since this is said in the very first scene of the play we are immediately given the impression that the king's son is not as respectable or as honourable as Hotspur. We can also see how highly regarded Hotspur is as the king gives him such warm glowing compliments with a touch of jealousy in his voice. He is not contented with his own son as he goes on to say: "See riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry". This indicates to the audience that Prince Hal might not be living the life that a prince would be expected to live.
We get the feeling that Harry is seen as the black sheep of the family and not the successor to the throne that the king desired. Shakespeare give us this impression by not including Prince Hal in the very important meeting that took place in Act one, scene one. The king even goes as far as suggesting "that some night-tripping fairy had exchanged in cradle clothes our children where they lie". This statement backs up the idea that the king is jealous of Hotspur. Shakespeare allows the king's feelings towards Hotspur and Hal to be known to the audience before we even meet the two men later in the play. The king's feelings register unconsciously in the audience's mind and we may then prejudice our opinions of Hal and Hotspur before meeting them.
In Scene One, Hotspur is described as being basically the opposite of Prince Hal. We may see this when Westmoreland calls him "gallant Hotspur". This statement is proof that people show Hotspur the greatest respect and indicates to us that he is brave and noble. We should note how Shakespeare uses the language to build up Hotspur's character. This lets the audience form an impression of him before they meet him.
In Act One, Scene 2, the audience's opinion of Prince Hal becomes increasingly worse as we find out that he keeps company with a man by the name of Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is fat, lazy, a drunkard and a thief. Is this the type of man that a prince would normally be friends with? The prince, laughing and joking, takes up the first part of the scene. When Fallstaff asks Hal for the time, Hal says:
"I see no reason why thou should'st be so superfluous to demand the time of day".
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In Act One, Scene 2, the audience's opinion of Prince Hal becomes increasingly worse as we find out that he keeps company with a man by the name of Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is fat, lazy, a drunkard and a thief. Is this the type of man that a prince would normally be friends with? The prince, laughing and joking, takes up the first part of the scene. When Fallstaff asks Hal for the time, Hal says:
"I see no reason why thou should'st be so superfluous to demand the time of day".
We are given the impression that Hal spends a lot of his time messing and having a name calling contest with Falstaff by the relaxed manner by which they give each other abuse. In the midst of the name-calling, we find out that some members of the Council are very angry with Hal because of his behaviour, as Fallstaff says: "an old Lord of the Council rated me the other day in the street about you Sir, but I marked him not". This could suggest that Fallstaff has respect for Hal or does not want to lose such an important benefactor.
Shakespeare presents the character Hal as being a man with a lot of time on his hands as he spends most of the early scenes messing around with Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is a very witty person and I believe that Hal remains friends with Falstaff because he provides Hal with mental stimulation. During the start of Act One Scene One, Hal and Falstaff exchange abusive comments but Hal shows how quick witted he is as he replies rapidly and sharply to all of Falstaffs remarks. We see Hal uses his power and money to great effect when he says:
"so far as my coin would stretch; and where it would not I have used my credit".
In Scene 2, Hal is lured into a plan to rob pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. When the prince eventually agrees, we can see that he is a cold man and does not have any respect for religion. By the way Hal speaks, I can see that he is bored and only agrees so he may relieve his boredom. He agrees with a less than enthusiastic: "well, I'll go with thee".
When Shakespeare shows the audience that Hal is bored and willing to participate in such a cold-hearted act, we wonder if he is a naive person as he was easily persuaded into committing the deed. A naive person is not ideal to become king, Hal seems to be easily influenced by those who are less powerful than he is, these people include Falstaff and Poins. This gives the audience the impression that Hal is not the kind of person who would ultimately become a powerful king.
We could not imagine Hotspur taking part in such an enterprise, as he for one would never be bored as he is always in search of his next battle.
Just before the end of the second scene, Prince Hal reveals his innermost thoughts and feelings through is soliloquy:
"So when this loose behaviour I throw off,
And pay the debt I never promised,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much I shall satisfy men's hopes."
During his soliloquy, Hal speaks in verse. This could be to show his nobility. He also uses imagery during his soliloquy. This again shows his nobility.
" I know you all, and will awhile uphold
The unyok'd humor of your idleness.
Yet herein will I imitate the sun,"
The imagery that Hal speaks of is the image of the sun. A theme which runs throughout the play. When Hal says that he shall "imitate the sun", he is suggesting that he shall rise triumphantly like the sun. We can see this rise throughout the latter stages of the play. Hal is seen as the sun but Hotspur is likened to the moon. This is the complete opposite of Hal. Shakespeare uses this imagery of the sun and the moon to show the contrast between Hal and Hotspur.
Shakespeare employs the Elizabethan notion of physical and emotional humours to great effect in Henry IV Part One. Hotspur is seen as choler. He is seen as being an angry character. He has rows with the King, his father and his uncle. Northumberland describes Hotspur as being " drunk with choler." This would not be seen by an Elizabethan audience as being a good characteristic for a king to have. Hal is seen as the outgoing phlegmatic person, he is not easily excited and seems to be bored quite a lot throughout the early scenes, where he spends most of his time messing around with Falstaff. The king is seen as melancholic, he is presented in a gloomy light as he is not proud of his son, Hal. We can see this when he says,
" A son who is the theme of honour's tongue,
Amongst a grove the very straightest plant,
Who is sweet Fortune's minion and her pride;
Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him,
See riot and dishonour stain the brow
Of my young Harry.
Falstaff is presented as being an optimistic jolly character and his red face is a stereotypical image of a person who would be described as being sanguine.
Although Hal lives a very unorthodox life for an heir apparent, he still appeals to the audience because of the fact that he appears witty. We see this when we first meet Hal as he jokingly replies to Falstaff's offensive remark by saying: "thou art so fat-witted". He says this sarcastically about Falstaff's humour and his weight. In his soliloquy, we are given the impression that Hal wants to become true to himself and become an honourable prince. Is this an honourable way of going about becoming a strong heir? Hal's plan may seem deceptive to the audience. This may make Hal less appealing to the audience. Some people in the audience may actually see Hal as being clever while others may see him as being a deceitful character.
Hal's soliloquy also shows us that he is smart and can conjure up excellent plans, which is an essential attribute that all good kings should have, but he may also be seen as calculating or deceitful which would make him dishonourable and therefore less favourable with the audience. When he says: "attract more eyes", it shows Hal in an attention seeking light.
It is in Scene 3 that we first meet Hotspur. He tells us how he was "breathless and faint". This shows us that he is a great fighter and that he puts every ounce of strength into achieving his goals. When Hotspur is explaining to the king why he was rude to the messenger, he shows that he is an impatient character when he says: "to be so pestered with a popinjay". Hotspur then compares the messenger to a "waiting gentlewoman". This shows his bluntness and lack of tact, which is unlike Prince Hal. As a solider, Hotspur is presented as a warrior who fights using every ounce of his energy, to achieve his goals. The audience may see this as favourable.
Later in the scene, Hotspur says: "I will straight and tell so, for I will ease my heart, albeit I make a hazard of my head". This phrase is typical of Hotspur's personality. He is rash and is ruled by his heart. When Worchester uses the metaphor: "on the unsteadfast footing of a spear" Hotspur takes it literally and replies: "if he fall in, good night or sink or swim" which again shows his stupidity.
Shakespeare also presents Hotspur as the victim of Worcester. Many people in the audience may see Hotspur not as his own person with his own ideas but rather more as Worcester's puppet. Worchester uses Hotspur as a pawn in his attempt to rebel against Henry IV. Worchester knows that Hotspur is easily manipulated and uses him to spearhead his rebellion. The fact that Worcester so easily manipulated Hotspur into joining him in rebellion would not be a good sign for the audience. They would not see Hotspur as righteous King material.
Shakespeare presents the two characters well throughout the play. He also uses imagery to present his two characters as seen in Hal's soliloquy. In this he says " Yet herein will I imitate the sun," He gives the audience pros and cons of each character and allows them to choose who they favour most.
