William Shakespeare's 1597 History Play Henry IV, Essay

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William Shakespeare's 1597 history play Henry IV, Part 1 involves Henry Bolingbroke (King Henry the fourth) and his struggle to maintain his throne, like the rebellions throughout the land. Although the rebellion initially appears to show the progress and conditions change of the king's son, Hal, and his peculiar friend, Sir John Falstaff, who gets actively involved in assisting Henry. Falstaff's character is especially intriguing when he prefers to use logics rather than morality with the purpose of being successful. Harry Percy (Hotspur) contrasts Falstaff and eventually comes to be defeated due to his employing an honorable attitude in combat. Comment by Nathaniel Hodes: successful in what sense? surviving the war? anything else? Comment by Nathaniel Hodes: Good. Now follow up these two points with a thesis statement that unites them. What is the play telling us about honor or morality?

The play rotates around the character of Hal, but the king also has a strong influence on each of the characters and events in the storyline.

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Falstaff's character, however, is one of the most interesting individuals in the play because he is unwilling to act in accordance with rules, but still manages to draw appreciation from individuals, who he interacts with. For instance, Falstaff lacks the customary respect for the prince regent that lieges must possess. He calls him 'Hal' and 'lad' ("Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?"), and Henry good-humoredly ridicules him by pointing out that Falstaff is so engaged in lazy behavior -- sleeping, eating, enjoying himself - that why on earth would he want to know what time of day it is. After all, Falstaff, Henry jests, is merely a good-for-nothing amiable idiot. Comment by Nathaniel Hodes: I suggest quoting part of the….....

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