Lack Of Honor In Shakespeare's Henry IV

In Shakespeare 's Henry IV, honor is a theme that manifests the thoughts and actions of the major characters. With this in mind, it is difficult to define a clear definition of honor in the play when each character looks at the quality subjectively. In relation to Prince Hal 's trajectory of reformation, honor and dishonor plays a major role in showcasing his grand transformation into an accomplished prince. Shakespeare employs the characters of King Henry, Hotspur, and Falstaff to influence the young prince on his journey to prove his code of honor. At the start of the play, King Henry is at odds with the nobles in court and is very unpopular due to his usurpation of the English throne. Coupled with the guilt of taking the throne and

In the course of the play, Hal is influenced by the characters of Falstaff and his rival Hotspur. The first character that Shakespeare exposes Prince Hal to is the character of Falstaff, an overweight man who spends times in taverns, robbing with thieves. Falstaff 's displays a lack of honor in terms of the noble definition and lives life to fulfill his own needs. In the scene of the robbery at Gadshill, Falstaff acts cowardly and lies his way out of the truth. In the noble definition of honor, Falstaff lacks any form of bravery and relies on his instinct to hide for his life. "Instinct is a great matter. I was now a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself, and thee, during my life, I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince" (Act 2 Scene 4). Falstaff does his best to project these ideas of selfishness onto Hal and it is clear that Falstaff is the obstacle constricting Hal from his noble duties as a prince. Falstaff 's ideas on honor are reinforced when he gives an entire speech about the senselessness of pursuing honor. "What is honor? A word. What is in that word 'honor '? Air" (Act 5 Scene 1). In this scene before battle, Falstaff critiques the nobles and their quest for a word that has only been displayed by violent acts in the play. Specifically, this speech makes an important point that the main characters of the play are so motivated by their own definition of honor through combat that they forego other interpretations of the word.

In his quest for ultimate redemption, Prince Hal promises his father that he will defeat Hotspur in battle. Prince Hal is first mentioned in Act 1 Scene 1 through the perspective of his father, King Henry who is not pleased with his son 's reputation and irresponsible behavior. In this act, King Henry foils Prince Hal with the character of Hotspur and is convinced that he is his real son. "Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him, see riot and dishonor stain the brow of my young Harry" (Act 1 Scene 1). During this act, King Henry is under stress amid the recent civil wars that have afflicted England. The manner in which Henry usurped the crown from Richard II makes him doubt his legitimacy and feels constantly threatened by those around him. King Henry and Prince Hal are first seen together on stage in Act 3. Up until this point, they have only spoken about each other. Moreover, King Henry expresses his concern for Hal 's ill behavior and states that it must be a curse for the sins he committed in his life. "But thou dost in thy passages of life make me believe that thou art only marked for the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven to punish by mistreadings" (Act 3 Scene 2). This scene is very important in the transformation of Hal 's character for he is called by his father to grow up and protect the throne. Prince Hal promises his father that he will make him proud by