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Shakespeare discussion questions

There exist many patriarchal relationships within the play Henry IV part 1 What observation scan you make about the generations

Henry is not d with his son 's life style . H e would prefer to have sons like those of Henry Percy . He even tells Henry (the future Henry V ) that Hotspur is more deserving of the throne than him , the legitimate heir . This leads Henry (V ) to determine to kill Hotspur in battle . Despite his poor opinion when Archibald , Earl of Douglas , proves to be a threat , Henry (IV ) comes to his

son 's rescue . Henry is perhaps thinking back to how he obtained the throne in what most would judge to be a dishonorable way . He perhaps sees his own standards reflected in his son

The play is concerned with the legitimately of rulers . It asks what makes a ruler legitimate , what qualities does a good ruler require and when is it necessary to rebel against apparently legitimate rule Because they are not just father and son , but a king and his heir the matter of their relationship and expectations looms large

2 ) Sonnet 116 , autobiographical or a fictional exercise

This sonnet , one of the most famous of Shakespeare 's verse , perhaps because it rings so true , seems to be firmly set in a real life relationship because it reflects what many of us experience in real life - that though we seem able to measure love to some extent we can never fully understand it . The poet does not describe his lover , but whether male or female it is possible that the relationship is one that the world might judge inappropriate - a situation we know was part of Shakespeare 's life experience as when he courted the somewhat older Anne Hathaway . Although some poems seem to be addresses to a young woman the majority are addressed to a young man , often referred to as `the fair Lord , possibly Shakespeare patron for many years , Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton . It is impossible to say whether or not the relationship was merely platonic or a full sexual one . His other subject , the dark lady , features in poems that are more obviously sexual , and although there are those who would claim the subject is fictional , even an author as clever as Shakespeare undoubtably was could not have imagined everything References

Electronic Sources

Shakespeare , William , Henry IV part 1 15th August 2008 HYPERLINK "http /www .online-literature .com /shakespeare /henryIV1 http /www .online-literature .com /shakespeare /henryIV1

Shakespeare , William , Sonnet 116 15th August 2008 http /www .shakespeare-online .com /sonnets /116 .html

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