Theme Of Honor In Prince Hotspur

I think that Hal is a very smart character even though many would argue because he hangs out with commoners so they can help him to become a better king. I also think that the main reason why the play is most centered on Hal between two world is to show that in the world of the tavern Hal is enjoying his teenage years and doing what youth enjoy doing. For example, in this world he laughs, have fun, and most important be himself without anyone telling him to act honorable or act like a prince. Also, the world of court is consist of adult political work and serious governance, in which Prince Hal hates to be because he has to follow the code of chivalric and he has to act like a prince. Prince Hal underwent a transformation throughout the play.

The powers of us may serve so great a day. Come, let us take a muster speedily. Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily” (act 4 scene 1). Hotspur idea of honor is fighting in a battle and taking away the throne from King Henry because he has taken away the respect that the Percy family deserve. Overall, Hotspur define honor by battling King Henry and the Percy family gaining respect for what they did for the King. Like Hotspurs view on honor, Hal defines honor that can be won through wars, but most important defeating Hotspur and exchanging his bad reputations for Hotspurs glory because he states that “ I will redeem all this on Percy’s head, And, in the closing of some glorious day, Be bold to tell you that I am your son, When I will wear a garment all of blood And stain my favors in a bloody mask, Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it” (act 3 scene 2). Hal wants to prove his father wrong for everything he thinks of him and redeem himself in his father's eyes. Also, Hal idea of honor is killing Hotspur which would make him an honorable noble and it would gain his honor by taking his “His glorious deeds” (act 3 scene 2), in conclusion he thinks of honor as something that can be taken away from others through their death in order to gain respect. Unlike how Prince Hal and Hal define Honor define honor, Falstaff has a completely different meaning of honor which would lead to his actions and the way the readers assess him. Falstaff does not believe in honor the way the other characters define it because for Falstaff it is only “ A word” and it is not worth dying for. To show how completely Falstaff view on honor is different than other characters is the way he acts during the battle because he states “twas time to counterfeit, or that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot too. Counterfeit” (act 5 scene 4).