Prince Hal Foil Essay

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Another one of Shakespeare’s plays, Henry IV, contains several examples of foils for multiple characters. One example is Prince Hal. He is the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne though this isn’t made obvious by his behavior at the beginning of the play as Hal. In our first encounters with Hal, he is at his apartment in London and a sleazy tavern in Eastcheap, where he parties with his drinking buddies, plans a robbery, and takes every opportunity to stick it to authority. He has become a pain for his father, King Henry IV, who worries about Hal's serious shortage of propriety and questions what will happen to his kingdom when his wild son gets ahold of the crown. Prince Hal acts as a foil to his own character of Prince Harry in …show more content…

I’ll so offend to make offence a skill, Redeeming time when men think least I will. (1.3.186-195) When Hal later defeats Hotspur in battle and saves his father's life, he redeems his reputation, shocks the kingdom, and establishes himself as one fit to be a ruler. It can be said that Harry Percy, or Hotspur, and Prince Hal act as foils of one another. Hotspur is the son of the Earl of Northumberland and leads the rebellion against King Henry IV. He is a daring and spirited young leader with a hot temper. He is inarguably an honorable character who stands in sharp contrast to the more apathetic Hal. This is especially true in scenes where King Henry unfavorably compares his son to the noble young Hotspur: In envy that my Lord Northumberland Should be the father to so blest a son— A son who is the theme of honour’s tongue, Amongst a grove the very straightest plant, Who is sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride— Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him See riot and dishonor stain the …show more content…

Hal shows his perceptiveness when he recognizes the strength his rival character possesses: "I do not think a braver gentleman, more active-violent or more valiant-young, more daring or more bold, is now alive to grace this latter age with noble deeds" (5.1.89-92). He also accurately distinguishes Hotspur's tragic flaw; although Hotspur is exceedingly noble and complex, he does not have the ability to live in the real world of his time, which Hal describes as "the vilest earth"

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