Comparing Prince Hal and Henry's Models of Statescraft

1032 Words3 Pages

Comparing Prince Hal and Henry's Models of Statescraft

To compare the difference between King Henry and Prince Hal's style of statecraft, first we have to understand the basic philosophy of each. The King belives that to effectively lead the country one needs to lead by example.
According to the King's philosophy the best man is the one who lives a pure life and garners respect and honor from all men. To the King's way of thinking
Hotspur is more fit to be a King than Prince Hal, a comparison the King makes several times. In Act I, scene i King Henry makes his first comparison of
Hotspur to his son saying that Lord Northumberland's son, Hotspur, was "A son who is the theme of honour's tounge..." while Prince Hal was stained by "...riot and dishonor...." In fact the King goes so far as to wish that Hotspur was his his son and not Prince Henry. Later in Act III, scene ii King Henry tells the
Prince that Hal reminds him of the way King Richard acted before Henry took the throne and that Hotspur reminds the King of himself. This is the King's not so subtle way oftelling Hal that the King doesn't think he is fit to suceed him to the throne.

Prince Hal on the other hand has a different idea of statecraft. He expresses his ideas in his speech in Act I, scene ii when he says "If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work; But when they seldom come, they wish'd-for come,...My reformation glitt'ring o'er my fault, Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes than that which hath no foil to set it off." He is saying that he may be acting like a common ruffian now but when he does take up his duties as heir to the throne and begin to act like a prince he will shine more in the eyes of men because his actions now will provide a contrast by which they can judge him. It is important to note that Hal does not plan to spend the rest of his life acting in this manner. He does plan to leave this life behind and take on the role of heir apparent to the throne of England.

In Act III, scene ii when the King confronts Hal about his delinquencies Hal is quick to agree with the King. He admits that he has not acted the part of a prince and humbled by the condemnation of the King swears a vow to redeem

Show More
Related

  • King Henry Iv Part 1

    1098 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hal’s remark to his father indicates a now strong, independent mind, predicting that Douglas and Hotspur will not accept Henry’s offer because of their love for fighting. Henry’s reply in turn indicates a change in attitude towards his son, a newfound respect. Acknowledging Hal’s prediction, the king orders preparations to begin, and we see he has his own set of solid moral values: knowing that their ‘cause is just’ helps him to reconcile with his highly honourable conscience that there is indeed cause for war. Still maintained is the conflict between the very format of the text, with Hal and Henry’s conversation held in formal verse typical of the court world, in which Hal is now firmly embedded. Falstaff, however, sustains his equally typical prose speech, which indicates to the audience the enduring division between the court and tavern worlds.

    Read More

  • Justifying The Mirror of All Christian Kings

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    When we look at Henry as a king we have to look in the context of

    Read More

  • Is The Juxtaposition In King Henry's Soliloquy

    534 Words  | 2 Pages

    Prince Hal is initially portrayed as being incapable of princely responsibilities in light of his drinking, robbery and trickery. Yet, Shakespeare reveals that Hal is in fact only constructing this false impression for the purpose of deceit. Prince Hal’s manipulative nature is evident in his first soliloquy, when he professes his intention to “imitate the sun” and “break through the foul and ugly mists”. The ‘sun’ Prince Hal seeks to ‘imitate’ can in this case be understood as his true capacity, as opposed to the false impression of his incapacity, which is symbolised by the ‘foul and ugly mists’. The differentiation of Hal’s capacity into two categories of that which is false and that which is true reveals the duplicity of his character. Moreover, Hal is further shown to be manipulative in the same soliloquy by explaining his tactic of using the “foil” of a lowly reputation against his true capacity to “attract more eyes” and “show more goodly”. The diction of “eyes” symbolically represents public deception, concluding political actions are based on strategy. It is through representation and textual form that we obtain insight into this

    Read More

  • Film Analysis: The Lion In Winter

    1465 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...historical background set forth in the film, with the broad details of the attempted rebellion propelled by Queen Eleanor and led by Richard and Geoffrey are accurate, as is the attempt by Philip of France to undermine the Angevin Empire to regain the provinces acquired by Henry through his marriage to Eleanor. As depicted in the film, the indecision, faced by Henry II in attempting to determine which son to name as successor resulted from his desire to have the empire that he had created remain intact, rather than dividing the empire between his sons and this, in turn, led to the fracturing of both family and political cohesion, leaving the empire vulnerable to outside forces. Both Richard and John eventually ruled the empire, supported and influenced by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was released from her Salisbury prison upon the death of King Henry II.

    Read More

  • The Development of Prince Hal into a Leader in William Shakespeare's Henry IV

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    transformation of Prince Hal from a tavern crony into the next King of England. This is a

    Read More

  • King Henry IV

    594 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hal seems to lack honor at the commencement of the play, but near the end we see him display a different kind true honor which will be explained more in depth. Hal also shows his honor when he rejects the requests put forth by his good friend Falstaff and sides with his natural father to fight loyally. Even though Henry views Hal as an unworthy candidate for the thrown, Hal proves him wrong by displaying attributes that are very honorable. In King Henry’s point of view, Hal doesn’t seem much like an heir to his thorwn. Instead of living at the court to aid his father govern England, he frolics in the Taverns of Eastcheap with a group of petty thieves.

    Read More

  • Film Review of Braveheart

    666 Words  | 2 Pages

    King Edward I does a spectacular job of playing the evil King who doesn’t care about his

    Read More

  • Romeo and Juliet - Movie vs. Book

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    equal (Act II, Scene 6, Line 4) which is a very intelligent thing to say.

    Read More

  • The Beginnings and Endings of Machiavellian Kings

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jealous of his brother's power, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, starts to secretly aspire the throne and plots to guilt trip his brother, King Edward, to death and lock up Edward's two sons. The same pool of blood consumes Richard, for the murders were endless. He did whatever ...

    Read More

  • Father/Son Relationships in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One

    804 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the start of the play, the reader sees that Prince Hal has been acting in a manner which has disappointed his father. The King compares Hotspur to Hal, saying that Hotspur is ìA son who is the theme of honour's tongue,î and that ìriot and dishonour stain the brow of [Hal] (I.i.3).î He even wishes that the two were switched: ìThen would I have his Harry, and he mine (I.i.3).î The King obviously does not approve of Hal's actions, and believes that, if Hal does not change his ways, he will be a poor successor to the throne.

    Read More

  • King Henry VIII

    1308 Words  | 3 Pages

    As one can well imagine, letting another act in one’s stead had a detrimental effect on the king’s power....

    Read More

  • Revenge in Hamlet

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet, they believe that the King will speak to Hamlet, as he is the Prince and his son.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Prince Hal And Falstaff's Henry IV: Part II

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his speech at the end of 1.2, Hal says that he is only spending time in the taverns and with misfits so that when he achieves glory, it will look even greater than it is. However, one might argue that really Hal is scared to take on the responsibility of being a prince and is using the time that he

    Read More

  • Melancholic Hamlet

    1095 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... not commit suicide because he realizes that it would be best to accomplish his goal and kill the king so he could avenge his fathers death.

    Read More

  • The Portrayal of Socially Destructive and Over-Ambitious Richard, in Shakespeare's Richard III

    2911 Words  | 6 Pages

    Richard’s political ambition is revealed through his strategic calculations based on the order of birth in his York family which puts him third away from the throne. Ahead of him is his elder brother, George Clarence, a barrier which will have to eradicate. His brother, King Edward, is another political barrier, by simply being alive, in power and equally by being the father of the two young princes . Richard’s creates a political mistrust between his two brothers without directly implicating himself to clear his way to power.

    Read More

More about Comparing Prince Hal and Henry's Models of Statescraft

Open Document