An examination of the characters of Hotspur and Hal from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part I.
This paper discusses how Shakespeare’s characters always cause us to wonder, and how, in his play, “Henry IV Part I”, it is interesting to consider how Hotspur and Hal’s lives would have been changed had they become friends. It looks at how, certainly, both would have benefited greatly from the experience. Hal could have taught Hotspur to relax and enjoy life a little bit more, and Hotspur could have taught Hal how to be more serious about life, especially his duties as prince. By examining both characters, it shows how we can easily see how each character’s weaknesses and strengths could have contributed to a friendship that may have achieved peace in a different way.
“On the other hand, Hal is slow to move toward his position as prince. He prefers to spend time in the tavern with Falstaff and our first impression of him is that he is quite lazy. He has fun with his friends and even repays the travelers the money that was stolen from them. In essence, Hal does not seem to want to grow up. This is most obvious in the scenes at the tavern. Hal seems to be aware that the happiness he finds at the tavern is something he will not or cannot find in a courtly life. He can also be himself there. He can drink and have fun. He tells the others, “I am now of all humors that have showed themselves humors since the old days of good man Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve o’clock midnight (II.v.82-4). Although we have no problem understanding why Hal likes his life at the tavern so much, we also realize that Hal is not exactly eager to fulfill his duties.