William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Henry IV, Part One, (1596)'Hotspur's weaknesses of character outweigh his virtues.' Discuss.

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Rowen Salt                                                                          14th February 2002

                                William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

                                 Henry IV, Part One, (1596)

             ‘Hotspur’s weaknesses of character outweigh his virtues.’ Discuss.

When Shakespeare wrote this historical drama, not all of it was true to history. Shakespeare was concerned with dramatic effect, so he therefore made Hotspur the same age as Hal, which wasn’t true historically but the public could then compare and contrast both Harry’s qualities throughout the play and act as each other’s foil. In reality, Hotspur was thirty- nine and Hal was fifteen. Hotspur wasn’t actually killed by Hal at Shrewsbury and his body was actually crushed between two millstones, then beheaded and quartered. Shakespeare invented details and even characters and leaves out much a historian would consider important.

 A quote that perhaps best suits Hotspur;

“By heaven, methinks it were an easy leap,

To pluck bright honour from the pale- faced moon,

Or dive into the bottom of the deep,

Where fathom- line could never touch the ground

 And pluck up drowned honour by the locks,

 So he that doth redeem her hence might wear

 Without corrival all her dignities.”

 Hotspur believes honour is so difficult to get that it lies only at the bottom of the deepest seas and on the moon. He does not like the arts he considers them perhaps below him or for weaker individuals; “I had rather hear Lady my brach howl in Irish.”

 He does claim to despise ‘mincing poetry’, however, he is able to describe things e.g., battle scenes extremely imaginatively

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Hotspur is an impatient, excitable, but most of all courageous man who strives for honour. In fact, most of Hotspur’s time is spent thinking about honour;

“Send danger from the east unto the west,

So honour cross it from the north to south,

And let them grapple.”

Danger and honour perhaps go together, and he strives for both and Hotspur is famous for winning honour in battle.

He seems fearless and looks forward to risks, even battles. Even when he is dying, he is more concerned about losing his honour than dying;

“I better brook ...

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