Henry V - differences between young and old.

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        MARÍA-PAULINA SOCARRÁS-GARZÓN        12 URS

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN YOUNG AND OLD IN HENRY IV (i)

The difference between young and old in Henry IV (i) is an important theme as it focuses on two of the chief characters in the play, Hal and Hotspur. Throughout the ages the young have been expected to emulate the old, and in most cases, the young have displeased the old by showing independence of mind. These two characters, considered as youths and possible future rulers, are exposed to father-figures whose actions will influence their conduct in later years. Both characters have two such father-figures; Bolingbroke and Falstaff for Prince Hal, and the Northumberland and Worcester for Hotspur. Both father-figures for Hal and Hotspur have obvious good and bad connotations in their influence on the character. For example, Falstaff, in his drinking and proclivities, is clearly a poor influence for a future ruler such as Prince Hal, and Worcester, who shares Hotspur's hot temper, encourages Hotspur to make rash decisions.

Bolingbroke is not yet truly an old man, his worries about his crumbling kingdom, guilt over his uprising against Richard II, and the whims of his son's behaviour have diluted his energy and strength. Despite the fact that he is the title character, Bolingbroke is not as strong a character as Hotspur, Hal, or even Falstaff. At the outset, we see Bolingbroke as a sick and tired man, who plans to embark on crusade as an act of contrition for his role in the murder of Richard II. Bolingbroke appears to be convinced in his presence as “a robe pontifical”, and thus will never admit to being anything less than great.  

The characters of Falstaff and Bolingbroke at first seem to be diametrically opposed opposites in terms of personality, yet they share many common traits. Falstaff, the “abominable misleader of youth”, is a thief and admits to being a robber of purses. Bolingbroke is also a thief; instead of robbing purses from travellers, he has stolen an entire empire from Richard II, whom he also had murdered. In their ways of dealing with people, especially under uncomfortable circumstances, the two also behave in similar ways. It is well shown that Falstaff often works his way out of unpleasant situations using only his wit. The King is continuously modifying his behaviour to suit the occasion, such as when he is dealing with Hotspur and the rebels and when he deals with Hal at court. Both Falstaff and the King live, to a great extent, by the sharpness of their minds: Falstaff as a petty-criminal, and the King as a politician.

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In second scene of the play, our first glimpse of Falstaff has of him asking the hour of day. To this inquiry, Hal replies "Thou are so fat-witted with drinking of old sack, and unbottoning thee after supper, and sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with the time of day?” Falstaff is frankly a “bag of guts,” a man ruled by his appetites. While Hotspur readily shoulders the duties of his role as a military hero, Falstaff shuns and distorts all ...

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