Power Struggles in Shakespeare

The struggle for power is a key theme in Shakespeare’s plays King Henry IV part I and Measure for Measure. Within both plays there are characters that try to make their way through the social hierarchy and gain as much power as possible. In King Henry IV part I, King Henry is having a hard time keeping control of the power he has. Before Henry was king, he overthrew King Richard II. In the beginning of the play, he has to balance feeling guilt from this and his newfound kingship. On top of that, his past decisions are coming back to haunt him, because he is being rebelled against by some of his enemies. King Henry must protect himself and his reputation, but he keeps getting caught in bad situations. In Measure for Measure, Angelo is appointed the position of the Duke, when the real Duke signs over his power. Throughout the entire play, Angelo acts like a fish out of water, trying to become powerful and keep command over the land. Angelo is an extremely hypocritical leader. He enforces many laws that haven’t been enforced in years, yet he breaks the same rules continuously. Angelo struggles with receiving respect from his citizens and being able to be a good leader. King Henry and Angelo both struggle to gain and protect their given power, in King Henry IV part I and Measure for Measure.

In the beginning of King Henry IV part I, King Henry takes his new position with pride and also a little guilt of the way he received it. From the very start, Henry shows how serious he is about being king, by starting with plotting to make a crusade to the Holy Land. Instead, Henry is conflicted with Mortimer, who is supposed to have taken over the throne. Richard II had named Mortimer as his successor, before he had died, however not many peop...

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...eeds to keeps all control over Mortimer and keep him in jail for as long as possible. He does not give into the protest of Hotspur, because he is afraid they will find out he is not the rightful heir to the throne. His own doubts make him feel like everyone also doubts him; which means he is an unfit ruler. Angelo’s strive for power, makes him an immoral and unbearably strict man. He is the epitome of what happens to a good man when given too much power. Angelo feels that he cannot show any sign of weakness or compassion, because he will lose respect. He goes back on his word and proves to be an unfit ruler. Angelo loses all of his power in the search to be a good leader. Both characters struggle with their newfound power and make mistakes while in leadership. Both characters attempt to gain and maintain power, however it proves to be much harder than they expected.