8/6/2019 1 Henry IV Appearance vs Reality
1/3
1: Henry IV: AAppearance vs. Reality"
Shakespeare's play Henry IV begins with a king (King Henry)
beginning a pilgrimage after killing King Richard II. Henry
believes that by gaining the throne ofEngland he has done an
honourable deed, yet he admits that the fighting and blo
odshed could continue, A. . . ill sheathed knife . . . @
(I.1.17). He, also,admits that his own son, Prince Hal, is not
honourable enough to occupy the throne, Asee riot and dishonour
stain the brow of my young Harry" (I.1.17).Shakespeare continues
the topos of honour and redemption into Act three, scene two, where
he uses elements such as anaphora, topos, imagery and rhetoric in a
meeting between King Henry and Prince Hal that is both crucial and
climatic to the overall structure of the theme of honour.At the
beginning of Act III sc. ii, Shakespeare clears all other
characters from the stage to allow King Henry=s first meeting, face
to face with Prince Hal,to be focused and intense. King Henry is
the first to speak and sets a sombre t
one as he begins to unmask himself to his son A. . . some
displeasing service Ihave done @ (3.2.5). As well Shakespeare
allows King Henry to bring Prince H
al=s mask to attention by using anaphora:Could such inordinate
and low desires,Such poor, such bare, such lewd, suchmean attempt,
such barren pleasures,rude society as there art matched withal . .
. (3.2.12-15).
The word such is used to emphasise his [Henry] displeasure of
Hal=s friends and the image they portray around him causing Hal in
the eyes of Henry to lose his princely image.Shakespeare, then
allows Prince Hal to defend himself to his father's interpreta
tions of his (Hal) character. Again, there is a contrast between
what King Henry perceives and what is reality. The king is
obviously distressed over Hal=s choice of friends and how they
affect this 'Princely image'. Hal on the otherhand asks for Apardon
on my true submission @ (3.2.27), claiming that such peop
le (friends) tell stories that may not always be true Aaft the
ear of greatnessmust hear @ (3.2.24).It seems that King Henry still
has some reservations about Prince Hal=s 'appearance' and how that
effects his (Hal=s) place on the throne; which may be some what
ironic coming from a king that truly bases popularity, Aopinion
that did helpme to the crown @ (3.2.42), on public opinion though a
rebellion is organisingaround him.During the King=s speech to Hal,
Shakespeare employs many elements of style to review and parallel
King Henry=s mask to Prince Hal=s appearance and foreshadow a
possible outcome for Prince Hal, A. . . prophetically do
forethink thy fall @ (3.2.38). By using the imagery of a comment
Shakespeare is trying to impress onPrince Hal that in the eye of
the public Alike a comet I [he] was wondered at "
8/6/2019 1 Henry IV Appearance vs Reality
2/3
(3.2.47). King Henry had to keep himself Afresh and new, my
presence like a robe pontifical @ (3.2.55-56), while in public. In
contrast Shakespeare uses theimage of a A cuckoo in June @ to show
that Prince Hal is Aheard, not regarded,seen, but with such eyes,
as sick and blunted with community @ (3.2.76-77).
As Prince Hal answers, Shakespeare reminds the reader that the
intention of this meeting is reconciliation of both King Henry and
Prince Hal. In act one, KingHenry states AI will from henceforth
rather be myself @ (1.3.5). To parallel t
he king=s remarks Shakespeare has Hal repeat the same idea AI
shall hereafter, my thrice gracious lord, be more myself
(3.2.92-93).Though there is a saying that Athe eyes are windows
into a man=s soul@ Shakespeare uses the rhetoric of A eyes @ and A
sight @ to be negative in that it is whatthe eyes of other people
see that makes a person honourable. Some examples of
this rhetoric used by Shakespeare are: Aafford no extraordinary
gaze . . . admiring eyes . . . eyelids down @ (3.2.78,80,81),
indicating that through these public eyes Prince Hal does not
demand the respect needed to be as successful a kingas King Henry
believes he himself is. Then, Shakespeare uses A sight @ in the
same passage to give insight to the 'mask' Henry wears that must
make him blind:. . . save mine, which hath desired to see thee
more,
which now doth that I would not have it do,make blind itself
with foolish tenderness. (3.2.89-91)
Again Shakespeare is using this act to play out the King=s idea
of how his sonHal appear to be less honourable than Hotspur, but,
will put aside his honourab
le mask towards some of the misdoing by his son for the sake of
saving his (Hal=s) princely image.Another aspect of Shakespeare's
style is the long passages at the end of each scene that are,
usually, given to the main (or most important) figure on stage
atthe time. In this scene, however, much of what King Henry is
saying to Prince
Hal is contained in a long passage. Although these passages by
the king are notat the end of the scene, but, contained within the
scene it could be that Shake
speare wants to show that the king is indeed an important
character until Hal be
gins his own pilgrimage of reconciliation. As well these long
passages give King Henry a chance to repeat and parallel a large
amount of information to PrinceHal.In his last long speech to Hal,
King Henry repeats his disfavour in his son=s ability to be king
stating that Ahe (Hotspur) bath more worthy interest to the state
than thou the shadow of succession@ (3.2.98-99). Also King Henry
uses thisopportunity to explain what he thinks are the honourable
qualities he feels Hotspur has over Prince Hal:Leads ancient lords
and reverend bishops onTo bloody battles and to bruising arms.What
never-dying honour hath he gotAgainst renowned Douglas (
3.2.104-107)!
Finally, Shakespeare allows Prince Hal to answer to all the
allegations presented by King Henry. One element of Shakespeare's
style here is the long passage which denotes Prince Hal as an
important character gaining respect from the king.First Hal tells
King Henry that AGod forgive them that so much have swayed
YourMajesty's good thought away from me @ (3.2.130-131). Hal then
goes on to say t
hat he wants to announce his right to be king as the son of King
Henry by proving his honour and loyalty to the king though the only
honourable thing left to Aredeem all this on Percy=s head@
(3.2.133).This last passage summarises Prince Hal=s feelings that
up until now he has beenseen through a mask unworthy of his
father=s honour. Like the king before him
Hal wishes to cast off this mask and earn respect through the
forth coming rebellion; much as did King Henry gain respect and
honour by going into battle with R
ichard II.In conclusion, Shakespeare uses elements of style such
as topos, and anaphora, as well as imagery and rhetoric to parallel
and contrast King Henry=s honour with
