Honor In Henry Iv Part 1

In Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part I, the concept of honor plays a key role in the actions different individuals throughout the play. Honor is a broad word that encompasses various definitions and varies from person to person. Thus, it is no surprise that the main characters also perceive honor in their own specific ways. However, the key aspect of the variability lies within the distinction of class. However, each character perceives honor differently, which in turn leads them to very different courses of action. Three particular individuals who take honor into account differently throughout the play are Prince Hal, Hotspur, and Falstaff. For Hotspur, honor relates to feelings of duty on the battlefield and reputation, while Hal believes

honor relates to virtuous behavior he works on redeeming his own image by striving to achieve honor through his behavior. While Hotspur and Hal both recognize honor as something that is important and admirable, Falstaff views honor as only a word that stays with people who have died and does not stay with the living; therefore Falstaff wants nothing to do with the word honor.

Shakespeare conveys the various themes by a stylistic method alternatively depicting the two extremes of society. Through comparing the nobility to the commoners, Shakespeare implies that the two distinct classes operate parallelly but contrasting in concepts of honor. Through dialogue and actions of the main character Prince Hal, King Henry, Falstaff, and Henry Hotspur, Shakespeare implies the variation among all social statuses on the concept of honor and the actions taken to improve honor. The idea of honor changes between each individual and the theme honor does not one specific meaning, but instead has meanings specific to each character’s interpretation which fluctuates honorable

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Harry Percy, also known as Hotspur, is closely connected to the concept of honor in Henry IV Part 1. The first instance of the word “honor” coming up in dialogue in this play is actually in reference to him. Speaking of Hotspur’s accomplishments and notable captures in battle, King Henry decries, “is not this an honorable spoil? A gallant prize?” (1H4 I.i. 74-75). Hotspur demonstrates fearlessness and passion in battle. King Henry goes so far as to claim he envies Northumberland, Hotspur’s father, for producing “a son who is the theme of honor’s tongue” (1H4 I.i.80). This dialogue precedes Hotspur’s introduction to the play, so the idea that he is basically the embodiment of honor serves as the first impression of him. His rebellion against King Henry is the major plot point that would seem to call this assertion into question. But Shakespeare introduces aspects of the situation that serve to support Hotspur’s decision to rebel, perhaps even making it an honorable decision.

One of the initial points of tension between Hotspur and King Henry comes when King Henry demands Hotspur’s prisoners of war. Hotspur’s eventual decision to rebel comes after his father and uncle explain that Mortimer, Hotspur’s cousin who the king will not ransom, is the rightful heir to Richard’s throne. Hotspur’s rebellion, then, is not dishonorable treason, but a genuine effort to restore the monarchy to its just line. Shakespeare gives Hotspur justification, and explains his honorable motives supporting his choices and actions. Later, Hotspur discusses a plan to overthrow the king with Northumberland and Worcester and his plan involves fighting and defeating the king’s army on the battlefield, and connecting honor to battle. Hotspur explains how they have been discarded and shamed by the king they helped, and he goes on to say “yet, time serves wherein you may redeem/ Your banished honors and restore yourselves/Into the good thoughts of the world again, / Revenge and jeering and disdained contempt/Of this proud king, who studies day and night/ To answer all the debt he owes you” (1H4I. iii. 184-189).

According to Hotspur, the honor that was lost through the king’s ill treatment of him, Northumberland, and Worcester can be redeemed after the king is defeated and dethroned. When preparing for the final battle Hotspur learns that Glendower will not join them, and the king has thirty thousand soldiers, he realizes his army does not have much chance but does not back down from the fight and says “Forty let it be,/My father and Glendower being both away,/The powers of us may serve so great a day./Come let us take a muster speedily./ Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily” (1H4 IV. ii. 138-142). Hotspur’s idea of honor is about redeeming his reputation through revenge on the battlefield by dethroning the king who he believes cast him aside after he helped him to the throne in the first place. Hotspur views the absence of his allies as more of a challenge; if he is able to defeat the king’s army he will be rewarded with even greater honor. Also, dying in battle is seen as a way for Hotspur to gain honor by being brave. Hotspur falls, wounded, and declares to Prince Hal that his loss of noble honor “wound[s] my thoughts worse than thy sword my flesh”(1H4 V.iiii.89-99). He praises Hotspur and treats his corpse respectfully, thinking that “even in [Hotspur’s] behalf, I’ll thank myself for doing these fair rites of tenderness” (1H4 V.iiii.89-99). Hotspur’s dying words demonstrate his life’s dilemma: his obsession with glory blinded him to practical matters and, caring only about honor, his disregard for physical safety led him to his death. Prince Hal shows himself to be an admirably humane warrior, treating Hotspur’s corpse with respect. Hotspur seems to base honor on respect, and honor can be won through battling and defeating one who has taken that respect away.