thematic symbols of Henry IV

William Shakespeare is considered one of the best of history All of his works are viewed as masterpieces , and have been studied and critiqued throughout the centuries following his death . Yet , a select number of his plays and sonnets seem to stand out from the rest . Henry IV Part 1 and 2 are among this select number . Written as part of the second series of Shakespeare 's history plays , which also include Richard II and Henry V , Henry IV Part 1 and 2 are considered to be the best of the group (Mandel

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The theme of honor is quite prevalent in Henry IV Part 1 . Shakespeare uses three characters - Hotspur , Falstaff , and Prince Hal - to demonstrate how differently honor can be perceived . First is Hotspur who has an obsessive commitment to honor . The pursuit of the grand ideal consumes all his energy and shapes his every thought (Mabillard 1 . In other words , Hotspur is so focused on achieving the grand ideal of honor that everything else in his life is sacrificed to this unattainable goal

Thus , while Hotspur may be .the theme of honour 's tongue (I .i .80 ) for King Henry IV , in the eyes of Prince Hal and others , Hotspur is viewed as a hotheaded young man (Mabillard 1 . This is demonstrated in his rush for the battle of Shrewsbury , which will ultimately lead to his death . Despite not having enough troops , he refuses to delay the battle - his over-exaggerated sense of honor will not allow him to do so . Yet , there is a silver lining to Hotspur 's concept of honor : it is a genuine ideal , rather than one formed out of a desire for power

In direct contrast to Hotspur is Falstaff , who has no use whatsoever for the concept of honor . His only concern is self-preservation therefore , he has quite a bit of difficulty understanding why a person would place honor above everything else : Yea , but how if honour prick me off when I come on ? how then ? Can honour / set to a leg ? No . Or an arm ? No . Or take away the / grief of a wound ? No . Honour hath no skill in surgery / then ? No . What is honour ? A word . What is that word honour ? Air .Therefore / I 'll of it . Honour is a mere scutcheon '[V .i .130-134 , 137] (Mabillard 3 . In short , Falstaff views honor as a nuisance yet , he still does not want others to view him as having no honor . This is quite hypocritical on the part of Falstaff , yet it is not unique - many people , both then and now , have hypocrisies that they maintain until their death

Finally , there is Prince Hal . His code of honor is a balance between the two extremes of Hotspur and Falstaff . He not only finds honor in associating with the likes of Falstaff , but also finds honor on the battlefield . In associating with the commoners like Falstaff , Prince Hal demonstrates the fact that honor can be derived from the...