King Henry IV play review

King Henry IV play review

In the introduction of this play, King Henry IV is concerned about a rebellion in his country England and gives a passionate speech about it. Events then begin to cook. Falstaff has hatched plans of robbing pilgrims. When Mortimer’s ransom fails to be paid by the king, a rebellion is fronted by the Percy’s. After pilgrims are robbed by Falstaff, Poins and Prince Hal steal from Falstaff. Unpleased by the turn of events, a meeting to mount a rebellion is held by nobles. Prince Hal is lectured by King Henry, and he promises to reform. The king offers forgiveness to the renegades, but they refuse to accept it. Douglas presumes he’s king and kills Blunt. In the climax of the plot, Hotspur is murdered by Prince Hal. As the action in the play wanes, Falstaff makes a claim that he is the one who killed Hotspur. The rebels are defeated by the forces of the king. A resolution is made in the play when the King decrees that Vernon and Worcester be executed. This paper has will discuss the characters, namely King Henry IV, Prince Hal, Falstaff and Hotspur.

King Henry IV, before his crowning as king was called Henry Bolingbroke. He is a focused man in life. Being the first in his line, he has great concern for his kingdom England and his family. Before becoming King, he was a nobleman, and he got to the throne after the dethroning of the previous one. His first goal as king is to command a group of cavalrymen to the Crusades but is unable to bring this objective to fruition due to an armed rebellion. He is in distress because of imminent civil war and other numerous duties and also due to his disappointing elder son. It comes to a point where the king desires his son was Hotspur “Myself and you, son Harry”. Despite the hard circumstances, the king maintains his calm while being tactical royal in his dealings and mannerisms. In his opening speech, he speaks of great religious plans but never embarks on this in the play. His most significant worries are his throne, his kingdom, his family and quintessentially his wish for tranquility and order “Nor more shall trenching war channel her fields”.

Prince Hal is the main character in this play. He is also called Harry Monmouth, Harry, or Prince Henry. He is the heir to his father as the Prince of Wales. One day, he will be the king. Uncannily, he flees his warrior and princely duties at the start of the play. He chooses to amuse himself with alcohol “Unless hours were cups of sack and minutes

capons and clocks the tongues of bawds” in the company of intoxicated thieves instead of aiding in restoration of peace to the country. He even proceeds to the extent of stealing from them himself “Who, I rob? I a thief? not I, by my faith.”. Prince Henry has a secret plan to continue acting as a party animal and eventually unveil himself to be a true warrior and prince, and surprise everyone. Prince Hal reforms from his uncouth behavior at almost the middle of the play and metamorphizes into a heroic warrior and a son worthy of loyalty. In an ugly turn of events, in Act V, he murders Hotspur.

Falstaff is the comic prop in this play. Falstaff is like a father to Prince Henry since he is much older than Prince Hal. Character-wise, he is an antithesis of King Henry. Falstaff is a cheap drunk, “I am a rogue, if I drunk to-day.”, lazy and fat while the king is responsible, sober, and a strong warrior. He robs pilgrims, “I am accursed to rob in that thief’s company” and sleeps with sluts. He is a self-absorbed man, “Began to give me ground: but I followed me close,” but provides excellent humor in this play.

Hotspur is one with headstrong and passionate qualities. He is also called Sir Henry, Harry, or Harry Percy and counters Prince Hal . At the beginning of the play, he is a courageous warrior that is much admired by King Henry IV, who even desires he was his son. He fights with the king against the outlaws Glendower and Douglas “Myself and you, son Harry, will towards Wales, To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March.” However, Hotspur jumps ship and joins the renegades and becomes a key leader when the king dishonors him “An plant this thorn, this canker, Bolingbroke? And shall it in more shame be further spoken”. He acts true to how his name suggests – rash and passionate. He often paces about rapidly, reacts quickly, “Why, so it would have done at the same season, if your mother’s cat had but kittened, though yourself had never been born.” and changes his mind quickly about decisions he makes. In his many exchanges with Glendower, it is seen that he is a realist. However, what causes this is his aura of honor and the drive of emotions.

This paper has shed light on the actions of some critical characters in this play. These characters have varying roles in the play, from the king, who is the pacifier, to Prince Hal, the trouble maker, Falstaff the irresponsible and comical one, and finally Hotspur the invigorating and energic one. Each character executes his role superbly in this interesting play. It is a play worth a read in a sitting.