King Henry IV, Part I Day Three ENGL 305 Dr. Fike

Outline and Midterm Do you have any questions about your next assignment? Do you have any questions about your midterm examination? (It takes place at our next class meeting.)

Day Two Material Return to group activity in day 2 PP.

Review of Tavern Scene (2.4) Francis and Hotspur link the scenes together. Falstaff steals money; Henry stole the kingdom. Falstaff deconstructs language. Falstaff’s jokes: They pertain to biological succession. Fruit and tree: One is known by his actions. Falstaff, negative; Prince, positive. Playing the role of king is active imagination: it gets Hal in touch with his (inner) father.

Questions on Hotspur ff.: How are Hal and Hotspur alike? Cf ff.: What is Hotspur’s attitude toward honor? SEE NEXT SLIDE , 77-83: Why is Hotspur’s name appropriate? See Bedford and 279 re. the humours. See also , esp : What else is wrong with Hotspur? (Think back to MV ) ff.: What does Hotspur realize at this point? What does he reveal about himself at line 117? : How is Hotspur a key element of H4’s speech to Hal and of Hal’s reply?

Honor Said of Hotspur: “Thou art the king of honor” (4.1.10). Falstaff: “Honor is a mere scutcheon” ( ). Therefore, in terms of honor, Hotspur and Falstaff are foils.

King Henry IV’s Attitude Act 3, scene 2: H4’s condemnation + Hal’s response. The King’s point: R2:Hal::H4:Hotspur:then:now

Hal’s Response See lines 129ff.

Points about Hal, He is willing to act in accordance with the law of primogeniture (cf. the foreshadowing in the tavern scene). He shows us his self-confidence—garment, not armor. He claims that he has made a transition from wayward youth to responsible adulthood (saves his father’s life at ff.). He affirms paternity, fatherhood, kingship. The action now drives toward a confrontation between the two young Henrys: society must be purified by a blood ritual. The pattern of fiscal language echoes the word “debt” at Cf Qualification: He is back in the tavern in 2H4.

Watch Video Clip of the Battle How does Hal insult Hotspur? What does Hotspur’s statement at 77ff. indicate about him? How does Hal treat Hotspur’s body? How does Hal say he will treat Falstaff’s body?

Falstaff Falstaff’s assumed death marks a transition in Hal’s life to greater responsibility. Hal says that he will embalm Falstaff (line 109), something you do for people of high social rank (a sign of Hal’s feelings for the old man). What do you make of what he does when he “comes back to life”?

Some Possible Answers A debased re-enactment of Hal’s encounter with Hotspur. Degradation of honor and courage. Bestiality. An assault on heroism. A negation of the cleansing by blood. A return to prose. And a great strategy (cf. Falstaff’s confrontation with Coleville in 2H4). Perhaps a hint that Hal has not completely extricated himself from the tavern.

Summary Chart CharacterBeginningEndingType of Action HotspurCourtGraveFalling action HalTavernCourtRising action, affirms father FalstaffTavernTavernNo real change Henry IVCourtCourtGreater confidence in Hal END