Appearance vs. Reality in Henry IV

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Appearance vs. Reality in Henry IV

Shakespeare's play Henry IV begins with a king (King Henry) beginning a

pilgrimage after killing King Richard II. Henry believes that by gaining the

throne of England he has done an honourable deed, yet he admits that the

fighting and bloodshed could continue, A. . . ill sheathed knife . . . @

(I.1.17). He, also, admits that his own son, Prince Hal, is not honourable

enough to occupy the throne, Asee riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young

Harry" (I.1.17).

Shakespeare continues the topos of honour and redemption into Act three,

scene two, where he uses elements such as anaphora, topos, imagery and rhetoric

in a meeting between King Henry and Prince Hal that is both crucial and

climatic to the overall structure of the theme of honour.

At the beginning of Act III sc. ii, Shakespeare clears all other

characters from the stage to allow King Henry=s first meeting, face to face with

Prince Hal, to be focused and intense. King Henry is the first to speak and

sets a sombre tone as he begins to unmask himself to his son A. . . some

displeasing service I have done @ (3.2.5). As well Shakespeare allows King

Henry to bring Prince Hal=s mask to attention by using anaphora:

Could such inordinate and low desires,

Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such

mean attempt, such barren pleasures,

rude society as there art matched withal . . . (3.2.12-15).

The word such is used to emphasise his [Henry] displeasure of Hal=s friends and

the image they portray around him causing Hal in the eyes of Henry to lose his

princely image.

Shakespeare, then allows Prince Hal to defend himself to his father's

interpretations of his (Hal) character. Again, there is a contrast between what

King Henry perceives and what is reality. The king is obviously distressed over

Hal=s choice of friends and how they affect this 'Princely image'. Hal on

the other hand asks for Apardon on my true submission @ (3.2.27), claiming that

such people (friends) tell stories that may not always be true Aaft the ear of

greatness must hear @ (3.

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