Hotspur dismisses Hal contemptuously as “The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales”. How would you assess Hal’s character as it develops during the play?
Hotspur dismisses Hal contemptuously as "The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales". How would you assess Hal's character as it develops during the play? Hal, whose real name is Harry, is introduced to us by his father as a rebellious royal in his conversation with Westmoreland, "....See riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry" This conversation also sees the King speak enviously of Lord Northumberland. "Mak'st me sad and mak'st me sin in envy that my Lord Northumberland should be father to so blest a son" This is comparing King Henry's son Hal with Lord Northumberland's son "The gallant Hotspur". Hotspur, or Henry Percy to use his real name, is a well-respected and brave soldier and is heavily like by the king. Immediately in Act 1 Scene 1 we see examples of praise towards Hotspur, "A son who is the theme of honour's tongue". King Henry even goes as far as saying he wishes that Hotspur were his son instead of Hal. "Some night-tripping fairy had exchanged our children where they lay." Henry is very disappointed of what his son has so far made of himself. We are yet to meet Hal but we are given our first and most important impression of Hal as this image of Hal will lead us to believe Hal really is a lay-about throughout the play and bias our thoughts. The second scene is a huge contrast to the first as it is calm and more relaxed compared to the fast paced first
With detailed reference to their words and actions, consider whom you find the more attractive character – Hal or Hotspur
With detailed reference to their words and actions, consider whom you find the more attractive character - Hal or Hotspur Hal and Hotspur have what is probably the strongest rivalry in this play. The word attractive can have many meanings but I will interpret it as being the person who comes across as being the one who really appeals to the audience through their strong and weak points. In real life Hal and Hotspur were not even of the same generation, let alone the same age. Shakespeare has changed the age of Hotspur to make him the same age as Hal. This allows him to compare the two characters and to build up a strong rivalry between them. Shakespeare also uses Hotspur to make Hal's character appear more attractive and to show that he is actually very suited to the throne. Prince Hal is a character who, at the start of the play, appears to be riotous and disobedient. However, Hal does possess many appealing qualities and as the play goes on, we start to see that the time Hal spends in the tavern is part of his learning experience and he is learning to be able to function at any level to help him become an effective and successful king. We learn this from Hal's soliloquy when he says, "He may be more wondered at, by breaking through the foul and ugly mists" (by which he means the world of the tavern and in particular, Falstaff). By this Hal means that when he decides to
"Falstaff is a dreadful character in every way yet the audience cannot help but like him and laugh along with him."
"Falstaff is a dreadful character in every way yet the audience cannot help but like him and laugh along with him." Bearing in mind the above quotation, analyse the behaviour and character of Falstaff and then suggest ways in which he entertains the audience and engages their sympathies. We see Falstaff, almost in the first moment of our acquaintance with him, involved in circumstances of criminal activities. Prince Hal in Act one, Scene two claims that Falstaff had robbed a purse of gold, "got with swearing 'Lay by'..." Of which, Falstaff admits that this was true. Falstaff further incriminates himself in an incident when Hal sends him into hiding, after the Sheriff and his men raided the tavern to arrest Falstaff for his involvement in the robbery of travellers going to Canterbury. Another fault with Falstaff is his cowardice, we hear him familiarly called a coward by his most intimate companions, indeed even Hal once remarked "and thou art a natural coward, without instinct". We see Falstaff, on occasion of the robbery at Gadshill, in the very act of running away from the Prince and Poins after declaring vaingloriously that a duck had more valour than Poins. In Act five Falstaff asks Hal to protect him if he should fall during battle. The Prince's rejection of the request shows his scorn for Falstaff's desire to passively preserve only his own life. Hal tells him that
In What Ways an To What Extent Does Act 1 Scene 4 Present the Audience With a Satisfactory Resolution To the Play?
AMDG Lawrence Ward In what ways an to what extent does Act 1 scene 4 present the audience with A satisfactory resolution to the play? Act 5 scene 4 can be regarded as the focal point of the play, (In this scene, we have the battle of Shrewsbury). Throughout the play, various conflicts and rivalries build up and at the battle of Shrewsbury (these conflicts and rivalries) reach their climaxes. Right from the beginning of the play in act 1 scene 1 conflicts are building. In this play we have two plots, the first one which is the main one concerns Henry 1V and the rebellion. Then we have the sub-plot, which is the friendship between Hal and Falstaff. From these two plots spawn other conflicts e.g. the rivalry between Hal and Hotspur, and within these conflicts we have other conflicts e.g. that between Henry and Hal. All of these various conflicts come together at the battle of Shrewsbury. One of the main reasons that the effect of this conflict was so successful is the fact that Shakespeare kept them apart right up until the battle of Shrewsbury. The rivalry between Hal and Hotspur is one we watch grow right from the beginning. In act 1, enryHHnhhhhhh Henry compares the two. He speaks very highly of Hotspur and describes his as 'a son who is the theme of honours tongue'. However
"The central thrust of the Red Badge of Courage is directed towards the puncturing of Henry Fleming's youthful range of illusions."
NUALA LAURO ENGLISH LITERATURE COURSEWORK MODULE BOOK - The Red Badge of Courage Question 6 "The central thrust of the Red Badge of Courage is directed towards the puncturing of Henry Fleming's youthful range of illusions." "Our inescapable conclusion concerning Red Badge of Courage is that Fleming is as deluded as the novel ends as he is when he first joins the Union Forces." Which of the above assessments of the development of Henry Fleming's character do you feel comes closest to the truth? In your answer you should Consider the arguments for and against accepting the question's assertions; Bring to bear knowledge of external critical opinion on the issue; Look at contextual aspects of the novel in relation to the topic under consideration. ANSWER I feel that both these arguments show strong opinions and though both show a critical view of Henry Fleming, they are opposing views. The first statement seems to come closest to the truth in that the narrator uses irony to mock and deride Henry yet at the same time he feels a certain affinity with him also. Statement two is a conclusion but not inescapable as Henry, although still deluded, is not as deluded as he was at the time he joined the Union Army. In choosing statement one to be the truer of the two I have come to the conclusion that the narrator is being used as a figure who mocks Henry's egotism and
How does Shakespeare present King Henry to his audience?
Natalie Booth Y12 12/03/2004 How does Shakespeare present King Henry to his audience? Throughout the play Shakespeare uses a variety of methods, to carefully construct the presentation of Henry's character to his audiences. Within the play devices are used to portray Henry's kingly qualities and his suitability in his position of King. Thoughts and emotions are provoked in the reader deliberately by Shakespeare so that he can manipulate and control the audience's perception of Henry as a person. In this essay I will be exploring and investigating the emotions and judgements created by Shakespeare's various conventions. In the first scene we find the two religious leaders, Archbishop of Canterbury and Ely discussing, in depth, Henrys character. The description of the changes within Henrys character reminds the audience of his wild and reckless behaviour as 'Prince Hal' in the previous books Henry the IV (part 1 and 2). But the mental image created within the audience's minds of Henry, by the device of these two characters is that of a strong and competent king, "The king is full of grace and fair regard" This scene is carefully created and crafted by Shakespeare to change, or create the image of Henry. Shakespeare wants to diminish the picture of Henrys turbulent youth and prepare the audience for this intelligent and knowledgeable king. The reminder of Henrys
Discuss the dramatic purposes of the chorus speeches in Henry V
Discuss the dramatic purposes of the chorus speeches in Henry V The Chorus, or Prologue, appears at the beginning of every act to introduce the action that follows, serving as a commentator as the action of the play progresses. Shakespeare frequently makes use of epilogues (as in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest), but the recurring Chorus is atypical for him. . The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. Due to the subject matter that the play deals with, it is hard to present in the way that it deserves. The Chorus helps the audience follow the play by helping them to picture things as they were through the use of imagery. It uses descriptive language in describing events that take place in the play. The Chorus also helps in making the plot of the play flow together better by filling the time lapses that occur between acts due to the fact that the event being depicted in only a few hours actually occurred over several years, leaving some gaps between events. It also explains what happens in an act beforehand because the scenes switch around from place to place, and it can get confusing. The most important function of the Chorus is that it encourages the audience to be patient and reminds them to use their imagination to envision the events that occur in the play, to really imagine the royal courts of England and France, and to really
Shakespeare's, Henry V, was written in the late sixteenth century.
Henry V Essay Shakespeare's, Henry V, was written in the late sixteenth century, this composition will focus upon how Shakespeare portrayed Henry V, using factual knowledge and Shakespeare's own interpretation. I will look at the character, language, structure and history of the play. Most Shakespearian, historical, plays were based upon Holinshead's Chronicles, these were mostly true but often Shakespeare adjusted the figures and facts to emphasise parts of his play's, and create tension and drama, such as when he is attempting to woo Katherine, to make a more interesting play. Many of Shakespeare's plays were historical, based upon actual happenings. Henry V was one of these plays, among others that include Henry VIII and Richard III. Shakespeare's plays were greatly affected by the society in which he lived, which was considerably different to our modern society. Shakespeare's society was a patriarchal society, a male driven world, examples of this are found throughout his plays. In Henry V, the King of France forces Katherine into marriage with Henry. Even the playhouse in which Shakespeare's plays were preformed was patriarchal. Only men were allowed to act and young men played women's parts. The church was also a major influence upon Shakespeare; the church was again a highly patriarchal institution. In Henry V the Church funded Henry's war with
In the tradition of aesthetics, Oscar Wilde said, “There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book” to what extent is ‘The picture of Dorian Gray’ an immoral book?
In the tradition of aesthetics, Oscar Wilde said, "There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book" to what extent is 'The picture of Dorian Gray' an immoral book? Oscar Wilde believed that art was only for one reason "Art for art sake", he once said, "There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written, that is it". Oscar has contradicted himself here because whilst he has tried to create a beautiful book, for no reason other than beauty he has created a piece of art full of moral and immoral actions. Oscar Wilde was influenced by the works of an English poet and critic, Algernon Charles Swinburne in much the same way that Dorian Grey was influenced by Lord Henry Wotton. In "The picture of Dorian Grey" Dorian's character is always in dramatic change. This is generally because of the influence of Lord Henry. "You are too charming to go in for philanthropy....."Lord Henry knows Dorian will soon be aware of his own beauty. Lord Henry influences his motives, making him become something that Lord Henry wants him to be. Dorian is made to think that beauty is the most important thing in the world, by Lord Henry; because of these influences Dorian's character becomes immoral. This is reflected thus can be seen when he sells his soul for his beauty, he wishes to stay beautiful. Dorian's character is also reflecting immorality.
Media Comparative Essay: Concerning the 2 well known film versions of Shakespeare's Henry V of Olivier (1944) and Branagh (1989)
English/ English Literature Joint Coursework Folder Media Comparative Essay: (in the medium of film) concerning the 2 well known film versions of Shakespeare's Henry V of Olivier (1944) and Branagh (1989) in the specific scenes of "A Little Touch of Harry in the Night" and "The Crispin Crispian Speech" A comparison of these scenes in the two film versions of Henry V indicated above in a discussion of all the major cinematic issues in integrating a story like Shakespeare's and to include some discussion of the relative success in conveying to a cinema audience the director's message. "...We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhood's cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!" Henry V Act 4, Scene 3 There is no more stirring summons to arms in all of literature than Henry's speech to his troops on St. Crispin's Day. Such words have been acted and recited to their own epic proportions in the numerous times they have been performed. How could an extract so uniformly expressed since its Shakespearean origin, be modified in conveying a totally antithetical message? What would be the effect in displaying such a contrasting