Compare and contrast the characters Hal and Hotspur in Henry IV, Part 1. Choose one key similarity and one key difference in these two characters, and use this textual evidence to support a thesis, or lesson, conveyed through this play. In what ways is the character Hotspur in. Shakespeare uses Prince Hal and Hotspur’s characters to show how much more superior Prince Hal is as a leader of men than Hotspur is. Shakespeare portrays Hotspur as somewhat of a one-dimensional character, whereas he portrays Prince Hal in a different way, but as a complex, multi-dimensional leader. And, if Prince Hal illustrates how to effectively use language to consolidate power, the play also illustrates misuses of language and the disempowering consequences of such mistakes. Unlike the savvy and adaptable Prince Hal, Hotspur is unable to control his language and often lets his prideful anger run away with his rhetoric, speaking.
134-146) The King’s words, especially his comparison between Hal and Hotspur, gave Hal the necessary motivation (the slight nudge), to finally move from the realization of a need for redemption to the action of actually redeeming himself. Hal will thus prove himself worthy of being Prince(i.e. Redemption) by fighting Hotspur. The Prince learns –good and bad- from Falstaff and this is purposely done by Shakespeare to give the parallel identity that defines Prince Hal. Both Falstaff and Hotspur are considered to be foils. However, I consider Falstaff as somewhat of a mirroring image of the other characters, especially Hotspur and Prince Hal.
Falstaff and Hal
- Importance of their relationship. Father figure Falstaff plays for Hall. Similarities between Falstaff and Henry (both father figures for Hall)
- Henry-rebellious. Falstaff-crafty way
- Falstaff/Henry, Self power- get it in different ways, Hall portrayed as a noble
- Saw how power destroyed Falstaff and his father--> did he learn from that?
- Act 1s 2- using Falstaff so when he becomes king- people will look up to him, following in footsteps
- Why would the people change their mind about Hall?
- Definition of rebellion: Hall- going against social norms, still apply to Henry?
SOME ONE ASKED A QUESTION.... WHY IS NO ONE ANSWERING IT??????
Why would the people change their mind about Hall?
- nothing to say yet that they will potentially change their mind
- Hall completely rejects Falstaff
- Act 1 s 2- glory is more great, if he was more noble when he became king it wouldn't be as special
- Change- maybe he really has and maybe the people will see the change and accept it.
- Is Hall really rebelling against his father? Act 1 s 2- tavern not to rebel but to understand people, get to know people, so in the future he can potentially meet the means of everyone
- Henry- insecure, Hall may be surrounded by insecurity
- Are you less likely to overthrow someone you like or one who is an overachiever?
- Is Hal just trying to be 'one of the people' so that people wont want to overthrow them? Is this the right thing?
- Can Hal be 'one of the people'?
ARE THE 'PEOPLE' GOING TO TAKE HENRY IV'S CROWN AWAY?
- Why would the people change their mind about Hall?
- Who is rebelling against the King Henry IV? Who is Hal 'doing' this for?
- Why should we believe Hal?
Can we move past Act I scene 2?
Hal is hanging out in the Tavern is for himself?
Act II scene 4 - As soon as Hal feels that his future is threatened he 'changes' and goes to court and encourages 'the people' to the wars.
So, hanging out in the tavern is for the protection for his own throne.
Does Falstaff look upon Hal as a good friend?
Act II scene 4 Falstaff talking about Hal as his son and the 'sun' of England.
Important: In Act II scene 4 (after they finish listening to Falstaff lie about the robbery) What are Hal and Falstaff doing?
Falstaff and Hal are 'role playing'. Falstaff is 'playing' the King (Henry). This is supposed to help Hal rehearse the conversation he is going to have with his real father the next day.
Then they switch places and Hal calls Falstaff 'abominable misleader of youth'...
Falstaff's character is a vehicle to show Hal's character.
Is Falstaff's 'goal' to be loved by all? Is he a 'glutton' for attention? Is Falstaff trying to get some reassurance from Hal?
March 26, 2007
Henry and Falstaff as father figures - now a role-reversal - Hal is teaching lessons about power and how to use it. Falstaff is the monarch of the tavern, but people mess with his head (the robbery) so he doesn't have much power despite his authority. Henry struggles with his power because of the rebels and Hotspur interfering. Hal is the smartest - friendship with Falstaff is dishonest - using him to gain power. Act I scene 2 describes scheme to shock the people. Hal only cares about himself - puts someone like Falstaff in the war to make himself look better. Showing that being deceitful is one way to gain power.
Q: Hal is teaching them how to take control of the situations they are in? Hal is the most clever of all of them
Balance of power in Hal and Falstaff's relationship: Hal may need Falstaff to keep people on his side. Falstaff made need Hal even more than Hal needs him - trying to ride his coat tails into power, get an appointment to some position.
Falstaff is using Hal which is why he puts up with so much from Hal (making a fool of him) - trying to get some benefit of being friends with Hal.
Falstaff is jealous of Hal.
Q: Evidence that Falstaff is a father figure? We found the opposite - a father figure wouldn't encourage a son to rob people. During the role play Falstaff talks about how good he is while talking down about the other people in the tavern. More of a relationship where they are using each other which is what brings them together.
Definition of father figure - someone watches your actions and learns how to (or not to) act. Not saying that someone is a father figure because someone else aspires to be like them.
ARE A FATHER FIGURE AND A ROLE MODEL THE SAME THING?
Hal has the power in the relationship because he knows Falstaff's motives. Act II, scene 4 (role play) - Falstaff misunderstands their relationship. Also, when Falstaff tells Hal that now that he has stolen he can't hang thieves when he is king and Hal tells Falstaff he will hang when Hal is king.
Falstaff is desperate to become part of Hal's world. Hal knows better than to let Falstaff have that place. Whether they are play acting or having a real conversation Hal always shoots down Falstaff.
Hal has seen who Falstaff is so he knows better than to give Falstaff power. People know more about Falstaff's character than they do about Hal's.
Q: Don't you think Falstaff would want to hide that he is making a power play? Also, Hal tells Falstaff the truth, but Falstaff thinks he's joking. Can someone be a father-figure if the child has control of the parent?
A father figure doesn't always show the child the right thing, no fathers are the same thing. Someone can fill the role of father and not be a great guy and teach the right lessons.
PDCBFTM (Please Don't Come Back from the Moon) - a father figure is something you either aspire to be or aspire not to be. When the fathers leave they are devastated - and it seemed that they didn't want to grow up to be like their fathers, but in the end Nick leaves like his father and Michael is trying not to.
Compare And Contrast Prince Hal And Hotspur
WHAT KIND OF POWER IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN MOON BESIDES POLITICAL?
Falstaff chooses to oversee, befriend Hal; Hal chose to turn to Falstaff, but he couldn't have done that without Falstaff letting him tag along.
Role Playing, Act II, scene 4: Falstaff does compliment Hal, despite the ridiculing. Henry and Hal don't have much of an emotional connection, Falstaff tries to give that to Hal. Trying to Praise Hal because he needs it.
Hotspur and Mortimer are like Hal and Falstaff. Hotspur is using Mortimer's pursuit of power for his own benefit. Falstaff is trying to use Hal's rise to power the same way, but Hal isn't letting him. Hotspur is helping Mortimer (since he is in prison and can't help himself) to get power in the end.
Falstaff as big brother instead of father.
Hotspur actually has power - he is tough. He has achieved a certain level of power so he can ask Mortimer for things. Falstaff is trying to get stuff from Hal, but he really doesn't have any leverage.
Falstaff thinks he has power over Hal and Falstaff thinks he is winning Hal over, but he really isn't, because Hal banishes him in the end. They are trying to out-manipulate each other and Hal is the smarter one. Falstaff thinks he is getting somewhere - doesn't realize he isn't.
WHAT OTHER ASPECTS OF POWER ARE AT PLAY HERE?
Moon - even though the fathers were gone they still had power, they were able to influence what went on in the city in their absence. The lack of dialogue between Henry and Hal is important - Henry's lack of presence affects Hal quest for power.
Moon - the boys are trying to be unlike their fathers. It's the opposite in the play - Hal has the power of the father's over Falstaff. Falstaff is trying to impress Hal.
Trying to be unlike their fathers is still power, still influence over their decisions.
Moon - when the fathers left, the sons grew up too fast. Like Hal, no father figure, doing everything alone, figure it all out for himself.
Father figures have influence over sons - do we have any proof that Falstaff has any influence on Hal? Is he just a friend and entertainment or does he actually influence Hal?
Do kids become their parents? If so, is Henry IV's rule foreshadowing of what Hal will be like when he becomes king?
March 27, 2007
Q: Does Henry have power over Hal? Where did it start? Why did Henry assert power over Hal? How has Hal gotten away with his behavior?
Maybe he didn't get away with it - Henry said he wished Hal was more like Hotspur. His father is punishing him by gradually losing respect for him. Now Hal wants to earn that respect back because he is preparing for his ascension to the throne.
Even if Hal seems to be more 'kingly,' do you think Henry is really going to believe in his change?
Hal is trying to take control and own up to what his father wants from him.
Hal isn't actually changing - he just wants Henry to think he is.
Can't he just be playing his father the way he was playing Falstaff? He likes to play games - what's to say that because he says he's going to change he really means it or can?
Henry's vs. Hal's approach to building power. People rarely saw Henry saw when they did it was with awe and respect.
Why doesn't Hal study the Court?
Zinn (woo hoo!) - the establishment needs the loyalty of a huge cross-section of the people in order to perpetuate it.
Western - remember how the Kings of France, by the end, had almost no connection to any of the people and how mistreated the vast majority of the people were. Do you think Hal is making a connection with the people so he can be in more control than his father was?
Until now Henry has seemed indifferent - this is the first conversation we have seen between them. If someone doesn't have an opinion about him and when they finally do it is negative it could push him in the wrong direction.
Not getting the support from his father that he wanted - so even though what Henry said was negative, at least he was getting some attention, fatherly advice from his real father means he doesn't need to get advice from Falstaff.
Hal doesn't go back to the Tavern after the conversation with Henry and make fun of his father (like after the robbery) - he goes out and starts giving orders so we can believe that he is changing.
Everything Hal does is really deliberate - he shows he is with the people by hanging out in the Tavern. He is different with Henry to show that he can be king - he is creating two pillars of power, building ground support.
In Act II when Hal says he is going to behave more like himself, is he really the person who hangs out in the tavern or is he really like a king?
Hal knows he needs to fight to prove himself - he wants to fight Hotspur because of Henry's feelings about Hotspur.
Hal behaves deliberately - he is being as bad as he can so he looks even better when he takes over. He knows he is prince and reminds Falstaff that he is prince no matter where he hangs out. Henry's people are turning against each other - they will kill each other and won't have been a part of it, then he can take over. He is conniving - he doesn't want anything to get in the way of his being king.
He knows he can get the people in the tavern on his side so he doesn't need to fight with the nobles.
After the conversation with his father he thinks he can do anything...
Q: What is the rationale for hiding his plan from his father?
He doesn't want his father to tell him no, be good all the time. He doesn't care about getting the support of his father. His behavior indicates that he doesn't want his father's help.
Their ways of getting power are really different so Hal knows that his father would disagree with his plan.
Henry claims that he was rare and special as a replacement for Richard and that's how he won people's loyalty.
How does Falstaff maintain his status in the Tavern?
Sarah F: Types of Power: position (royalty, etc.), knowledge or expertise, character or ethics, rewards, punishment, gender, powerlessness, charisma or personal power, lack of interest or desire, craziness (irrational behavior)
Charisma can be a source of power - Falstaff is charismatic - he manipulates people into hanging out with him, paying his tavern bill, hiding him from the sheriff...even though he doesn't live up to his responsibilities as a knight, he has lost his money, etc. People are still drawn to him.
Falstaff is deceitful, like Hal.
He is a good liar, he knows how to play to the crowd and deflect attention from his deceit - 'buy us all beer with the money from the robbery'
He knows how to manipulate situations to his advantage - the robbery
He has intellectual power - he is quick, he knows how people function. He surrounds himself with people he can manipulate - only Hal is as quick.
Q: Does Henry think his power is legitimate? God is punishing him by making Hal his son because he didn't deserve the crown.
Act III, Scene 2, he says how much the people like him so that makes him feel legitimate
Desperate parent, shaking his head asking what he has done to deserve a son who acts like Hal. I was what the people wanted, I have helped them, so what is going on with my son, why is he acting like this? So...how well does Henry know Hal? Falstaff seems to know him so much better. Hal has learned from Falstaff how to talk his way out of any situation.
Henry sees his own son as a traitor which is what prompts Hal to change his behavior.
Q: How much of the relationship between Hal and Falstaff is genuine? How much of it is Hal's calculating manipulation?
Falstaff has realized his position doesn't have real power over Hal.
Hal sees Falstaff's weakness in this scene.
Since it was Hal's flashback - if he wanted to show Falstaff's weakness why would he show Falstaff's popularity?
What choices has Branagh made here - in this scene? What is going on in this scene? What is the purpose of this exchange? Who else is in the scene?
How does the scene open?
Who does Falstaff get to leave the room? How?
- sure, he calls Bardolf 'ugly' - but is that it?
How does he receive Hal when he enters?
- He 'run's over' and hugs him.
How does Falstaff say his lines to Hal?
- He whispers them because Falstaff needs Hal more than Hal needs Falstaff
Why does Falstaff move Hal away from the crowd?
Why doesn't Hal actually speak his lines?
- makes Falstaff more 'sensitive'
Are they really just using each other?
Is Hal's plan not working? His plan to seem bad so that when he turns good he will seem that much better.
Does the fact that Hal is going to be king change other people's behavior when they are around Hal?
If you were a random person in the tavern - who didn't know these people - how would you describe them?
Put yourself in Hal's position - he is just a little older than you - Hal knows that he is going to become king (he is NOT looking to overthrow his dad, he will become king when his father dies).
If you see this 'tavern' period as 'practice' to become king then what is Hal trying to learn how to do?
Why would he need to 'practice'?
Why would he 'practice' in the tavern and not in the court? Who is 'practicing' in the court?
Read passage from one of the sources: Falstaff is flawed but appreciated for his wit, believes he will gain from the new king.
Hal is learning how to deal with people in bad situations and turn the situation to his benefit especially when he has to go back and deal with the court.
Compare And Contrast Hal And Hotspur Pictures
Hal is learning how to command respect - when Falstaff talks to the Tavern people he stands and they sit so he has power over them. When Hal comes in Hal and Falstaff are on equal footing
FOR THE NEXT 20 MINUTES NO ONE CAN SAY THE WORD 'POWER.' YOU CAN'T SAY 'CONTROL,' EITHER!
Falstaff sees Hal as a son. Hal knows that he has control in the Tavern and he likes it
The people in the Tavern already see Hal as superior, in the Court he is around people who are important, the people in the Tavern have no rank so he can impose on them and they will automatically accept him.
Could he be going to the Tavern because he likes them better than than the possibly corrupt people in the Court.
He needs to practice because this is a replica of a situation when he is king - when he walks into a room people will stop and listen, he can't yet do this in the court because Henry is still in charge.
He's not acting superior to anyone in the court so he isn't practicing - maybe he wants to be seen as a normal person
There is a scene where he feels like he has connected with Mistress Quickly - he knows her, she isn't just the barmaid
Hal has two worlds - the corrupt Court and the Tavern; in the Tavern there is no corruption or plotting against the leaders
There is no corruption in the Tavern because there is no standard for behavior - you can't misbehave. Corruption comes from bad behavior
More truth comes out in the Tavern because they are drunk and not exercising full judgment
People are in the tavern because they choose to be there
Corruption in the Court comes from people wanting Henry off of the throne, Mortimer in charge - the nobles get what they want: money and land
In the tavern there is nothing at stake so he can practice being king - no one has anything to lose, not trying to keep or gain land
In the court you have to be polite to someone's face and the corruption is behind people's back - in the Tavern anyone can challenge anyone and everything is out in the open
By Marc Connor Ph.D., Washington and Lee University
Character contrast is a vital tool for Shakespeare to convey his messages, especially in Henry IV. King Henry IV, Sir Falstaff, Hotspur, and Prince Harry are all involved in shaping the character contrast in Henry IV. One of them, however, is the link that connects the contrasting ends of the spectrum. Read on to recognize this core character.
Shakespeare uses numerous literary tools to convey the message of his plays. Henry IV is no exception, and character contrast in Henry IV is a vital tool. Without finding the contrasts, it is unlikely to perceive what Shakespeare really wanted to say. The core of the story is the contrast between King Henry IV and Sir John Falstaff. The boundary-crossing figure here is a young Henry V, who connects the two worlds at the ends of the contrast.
Learn more about Shakespeare’s Theater and Stagecraft.
The Core Character Contrast in Henry IV
One of the leading messages Shakespeare aims to convey inHenry IV is that to reach manhood, one must willingly leave childhood and funbehind. He has portrayed childhood and its irresponsible fun-seeking in Sir John Falstaff, who does not look like a knight enough.Some even doubt how he became a knight in the first place.
This is a transcript from the video series How to Read and Understand Shakespeare.Watch it now, on The Great Courses Plus.
The other side of the charactercontrast spectrum is King Henry IV himself: A strong man who can rule, play therole in political games, and take. Hal needs to decide which side of thecontrast he goes with.
Shakespeare uses charactercontrast in Henry IV consciously and skillfully. Toshow this contrast, Falstaff does not appear in the court scenes, the same waythat Henry IV does not appear in the tavern scenes. He does not evenbring Henry IV and Falstaff on stage at the same time. When Hal becomes KingHenry V, Falstaff no longer appears in the play, and even his death is reportedby somebody else. Thus, juxtaposition on stage is also a fundamental tool toshow contrast.
The Character of King Henry IV
King Henry IV symbolizes order, rule, and law in the play. He had to fight to gain kingship, as the true king was Richard II, his cousin. Thus, there is a contrast to this character. He became the embodiment of law through being an outlaw in the first place. Shakespeare questions kingship through this story.
Henry IV is embarrassed with Hal’sbehavior, and even compares him to Richard II, saying he is unworthy of thecrown. At one act, he advises his son on kingship qualities and reveals to himthat the best skill to possess is ‘acting.’ Throughout the play, Hal provesthat he is a talented actor, especially when facing Falstaff a few times.
Learn more about Richard II-History and Kingship.
The Character of Falstaff
Compare And Contrast Hal And Hotspur Video
As mentioned, Falstaff is a knightwho does not act and look like one. He believes he is a true friend to Hal, buthe misleads the prince. This witty fat man spends much time in the taverns, andHal goes with him. He embodies fun, and that is the reason he dies in the playwhen Hal finally chooses to be a responsible king. There is no place for fun inKing Henry V’s life.
The Character of Hal
Hal is the boundary-crossingfigure, connecting the world of Falstaff with the world of Henry IV. He spendsmuch time in taverns with Falstaff, he helps rob travelers at night, and hedoes not seem to understand his profound responsibility. Nevertheless, an essentialpoint in Shakespeare’s works is the distinction between appearance and reality.
In different parts of the play,Hal shows his real personality, which is an impressive, courageous, inspiring,and smart man who understands politics and knows very well how to play roles.Still, he has to choose between Falstaff and his father, the king, the twosides of the contrast. Whom does he choose in the end? King Henry IV. Thischoice is made after King Henry IV and Falstaff are both dead, showing thedifficulty of making this decision, and sacrificing fun for duty.
Learn more about The Drama of Ideas in Henry V.
The Other Important Character Contrast in Henry IV
At an important scene, Hal stands victorious between twodead bodies. One is Falstaff, whose death shows all the childhood and fun inHal’s life is now gone. But who is the other dead body?
Compare And Contrast Hal And Hotspur
Hotspur, or Percy, was the most admirable,noble, and courageous of the rebels opposing King Henry in this play. Percy isthe son of Northumberland and tries to prove his superiority over Hal. However,he is too courageous and not how a king should really be. He is brought at oneend of a vital contrast with Falstaff: courage. As much as Hotspur is known forcourage, Falstaff is known as a coward. Hal stands between these two, to showthat he needs to make a balance to be a courageous king.
Common Questions about Character Contrast in Henry IV
Q: What is the name of the king in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part I?King Henry IV’s son, who will eventually become King Henry V, is called Harry, but in the play, we usually see him with the name Hal. He is the link between character contrasts in Henry IV.
Q: What is the theme of Henry IV?In Henry IV, two stories of rebellion and disorder run parallel and form two important character contrasts in Henry IV: the story of Prince Hal’s ‘boyhood’ rebellion against his father and the rebel uprising led by the Percy family, alongside Falstaff’s influence on Hal.
Q: Who is Northumberland in Henry IV?Northumberland is one of the main rebels against the king, a member of the Percy family, and the father of Hotspur. Hotspur shapes the vital character contrasts in Henry IV.
Q: Why is Falstaff important?Falstaff embodies the childish fun-seeking of Hal and is in fact one side of character contrast in Henry IV. Hal has to leave him behind to finally become the man who can rule.