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P.S: This is part of our Mod B with Concept Series! Check out our 'How to ace Module B with State-Ranking samples' blog guided by Chloe Zhu (16th NSW English ADV) for a comprehensive guide on Module B!
Summary of Module B
King Henry IV Part 1 is an ornate historic morality play, imbued with the contextual concerns of kingship, succession and rebellion. It synthesises the parallel plots of the monarchy and the mundane, the political and the comic, to critically reinterpret the notion of honour as Kings’ mechanism for control, as well as the issue of legitimacy as a mere synonym for counterfeiting. The text engages an audience through the battle between moral and evil, appearance and reality which climaxes in the physical combat between the opposing sides (Hotspur and Hal) at Shrewsbury.
Theme Breakdown - HONOUR [1/5]
Honour was a foremost value in Elizabethan England and as such, a great portion of the play is devoted to the exploration of different modes of the ideal, which serve to differentiate between honour as a Christian virtue which attributes great value to an individual’s personality, and honour as a vehicle for mass control. Throughout the drama text, characters pursue, question and meditate on the ideal of honour, which is positioned as the common denominator in analysing people’s virtues and vices. Prince Hal’s moral trajectory and transformation is traced and described in relation honour: he starts at a position of dishonour in the eyes of society (where King Henry laments his recklessness and wishes he could embody the honour of young Hotspur) and reaches a position of high honour at play’s end (where his father, along with everyone around him, praises his courage and nobility). Equally important in the development of the play is Hotspur’s archetypal honour and his quixotic view on the ideal, which, insofar as it leads him to wage the Battle of Shrewsbury against King Henry, drives the entire political plot. For Hotspur, the battle is representative of two things; the first being the protection of his honour and the second, the restoration of the esteemed position he feels the Percy clan deserves.
With regards to acquiring honour, the play avoids committing to a single answer but rather provides different possible interpretations. One understanding of obtaining honour is by birth and inheritance. Hotspur holds the view that he deserves others’ respect because he is a Percy, and Prince Hal secretly trusts his princely blood will protect him from the dishonour he immerses himself in at the Tavern. Another means by which one acquires honour through acts of bravery. This is exemplified through Prince Hal’s dishonour which is wiped away with bloodshed in battle, as well as Sir Walter Blunt’s noble death which pledges his loyalty to the King. The play, however, also suggests that honour can be won by noble speech. This is illuminated through the Prince’s ornate soliloquy and his articulate apologies in verse, which allow him to regain honour in his father’s eyes. Moreover, the grotesque savagery of the war images painted by Shakespeare, calls into question whether honour won by violent acts should really be considered noble. Indeed, Hal seems most noble when he mercifully releases the war prisoner Douglas at the end of the play out of respect for Douglas’ bravery.
Yet Falstaff’s musings on the nature of honour are so powerful, as they challenge the preconceived contextual views of honour, showing them in the light of scepticism. In the play, Falstaff’s realist voice gives significant insight into the superficiality of the ideal, which ironically is more valued than human life. Reflecting on his personal experience with the loss of lives in the name of honour, Falstaff paints a more pragmatic and cynical approach, which distinguishes between the performative aspect of honour and honour as a mechanism for control. Indeed, in his catechism, his conclusions are hard to argue with and hauntingly imply that all the other characters’ earnest quests for honour may be nothing but a hollow enterprise, aimed at deceiving others.
Generic Topic Sentence: Enticed by the Platonic pedagogy on honour, Shakespeare explores a plethora of views on this ideal which provide a lofty reflection of an individual’s personality and conscience.
Analysis of Honour, with Quotes/Scene, Technique and Analysis:
Quote/Scene: “A son who is the theme of honour’s tongue”
Technique: The personification of Honour as a woman suggests that Hotspur becomes a paragon of honour.
Analysis: This implies that Hotspur’s valour leads to his ascent to power in triggering revolt, yet ironically, in the climax of the play, his lack of political tact and courtesy ultimately combine with his quixotic view of honour to facilitate his downfall. Therefore, honour can perfectly be described both as Hotspur’s merit and his hamartia.
Quote/Scene: “falls down as if he were dead”
Technique: Shakespeare’s use of stage directions, serves the dual purpose of imbuing the text with comedic relief, as well as directly criticising cowardly behaviour.
Analysis: This acts as a portal into Falstaff’s sceptical and cynical nature which presents honour as a mere construct and as kings’ mechanism for control.
Quote/Scene: “What is honour?...Air”, “catechism”
Technique: The rhetorical question in Falstaff’s soliloquy, presents honour as nothing more than a gravestone.
Analysis: Falstaff’s “catechism” on honour, whereby he inquires “What is honour?...Air”, has been viewed by Elizabethan critics as an act of cowardice, as it contradicts traditional Christian homilies. Ironically, air is vital for humanity’s existence.
Quote/Scene: “Depose me...hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker or a poulter’s hare”
Technique: In the mock play, Falstaff utilises an authoritative tone to indirectly comment on the regicide, as well as the uprising boiling within England’s soil.
Analysis: Falstaff took bribes from the wealthy and replaced their position in the army with the underclass of society – prisoners and sacked servants. This emphasises Falstaff’s corruptness. Falstaff’s attitude is thus a contrast to Hal and Hotspur, who see war as a noble meeting, where honour is won.
Quote/Scene: “so stout a gentleman...sensible of courtesy”
Technique: The chivalric language gives rise to Hal’s unique definition of honour-one that is firmly built upon the notions of servitude to others and apotheosis.
Analysis: Hotspur’s infatuation with honour and Falstaff’s apparent lack of honour serve the primary function of illuminating Hal’s skill in balancing the two extremes, creating his own complex concept of honour which positions him as the epitome of a “stout gentleman”.
Quote/Scene: “Broke oath on oath, committed wrong on wrong”
Technique: The overtones of treachery are implemented to provide a direct link to the divine displeasure for the dishonesty that plagues Henry’s rule.
Analysis: This raises the question of honour and grace, hence intensifying the dramatic elements of the realpolitik play. In this way, Shakespeare entwines his overt political message through the equivocal representation of King Henry.
Quote/Scene: “I shall make this northern youth exchange his glorious deeds for my indignities”
Technique: Imagery and repetition of references to honour.
Analysis: This quote highlights how Hal understands that honour and reputation are commodities, thus his intention is to exchange Hotspur’s honour for his own.
Quote/Scene: “I have misused the King’s press damnably”
Technique: Falstaff’s soliloquy reveals his corrupt recruiting methods to make money.
Analysis: Falstaff took bribes from the wealthy and replaced their position in the army with the underclass of society – prisoners and sacked servants. This emphasises Falstaff’s corruptness. Falstaff’s attitude is thus a contrast to Hal and Hotspur, who see war as a noble meeting, where honour is won.
Quote/Scene: “to pluck bright honour from the pale faced moon...and pluck up drowned honour by the locks”
Technique: Hotspur personifies honour as a female.
Analysis: This reveals Hotspur’s commitment to his concept of honour which entails the physical battle of men and involves power. By portraying honour as a woman, Shakespeare further defies the ideal.
Hope this helped give you an insight into Mod B’s King Henry IV! Our full range of material is over 100 pages long co-authored by 6 state rankers. If you’d like to try out a lesson with us, visit our website: https://www.concepteducation.com.au/enquire or email admin@conceptenglish.com.au to enquire today!
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