Shakespeare's Portrayal of Hal in Henry IV Part One

Shakespeare's Portrayal of Hal in Henry IV Part One

Shakespeare wrote 10 history plays in all, 8 of these make up a series

of 2 tetralogies, or sets of 4 plays each. Placing them in chronicle

order, the metrologies are: (1) Richard II, Henry IV part 1, Henry IV

part 2, and Henry V, (2) Henry VI part 1, Henry VI part 2, Henry VI

part 3, and Richard III. Henry I part 1 was written in 1596-1597, and

was and still is one of the most popular Shakespeare plays ever

written. The reason it is not so popular as other plays such as Romeo

and Juliet (tragedy) and Taming of the shrew (comedy) is that it is a

history play. Contrary to popular belief history plays are not

completely historic and do contain main humorous and romantic scenes,

characters and settings. An example of this is Falstaff, adored and

loved by audiences in both past and prescence. He was so popular that

another 2 plays were wrote about him. (Henry IV part 2 and Merry Wives

of Windsor)

Although Shakespeare wished to the play as close to the historical

truth as possible he also had to make sure that he did not upset the

Tudors in doing so. He must infact be careful to praise the Tudors.

Elizabeth was in reign and so if he had upset the queen in any way

there could have been a severe price to pay. After Edward III died,

his successor Richard II took over. He was later murdered and it was

thought that Bullingbrook (Henry IV) had had him killed so that he

could take the throne. There was still however a stronger claim to the

throne, Edmund Mortimer; descendant of Lionel, Duke of Clarence. It

was thought that Bullingbrook had unrightfully taken the throne from

Mortimer. Howev...

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...riends. It is obvious that Falstaff has true affection for Hal yet

whether the feeling is mutual is uncertain. In Act 2 Scene 4 Why does

Hal keep Falstaff outside the room instead of inviting him in

straightaway? Why does Hal not pay homage to Falstaff on the

battlefield? In the first tavern scene we see Prince Hal relationship

with Falstaff. 'Fat-witted,' Prince Hal makes jokes about Falstaff

being fat.

Whatever Shakespeare's true portrayal of Hal was it is clear that

throughout the play Hal has changed. Whether he was fit to be a king

all along and he was merely waiting for the right moment at which to

announce his "reformation" is unsure. However one thing for sure is

that Hal's reformation was one of the greatest Themes in any of

Shakespeare's plays. It not only kept the Tudors happy but the

audience as well.