Henry IV: Appearance Vs. Reality Essay, Research Paper
Henry IV: Appearance 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 of England he has done an honourable deed, yet he admits that the
fighting and bloodshed 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 tone as he begins to unmask himself to his son A. . . some
displeasing service I have done @ (3.2.5). As well Shakespeare allows King
Henry to bring Prince Hal=s mask to attention by using anaphora:
Could such inordinate and low desires,
Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such
mean 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
interpretations 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 other hand asks for Apardon on my true submission @ (3.2.27), claiming that
such people (friends) tell stories that may not always be true Aaft the ear of
greatness must 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 help me to the crown @ (3.2.42), on public opinion though a rebellion is
organising around 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 on Prince Hal that in the eye of the public Alike a comet I [he] was
wondered at ” (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 the image 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,
King Henry states AI will from henceforth rather be myself @ (1.3.5). To
parallel the 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 what the 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 king as 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 son
Hal appear to be less honourable than Hotspur, but, will put aside his
honourable 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 at the 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 not at the end of the scene, but, contained within the scene it could be
that Shakespeare wants to show that the king is indeed an important character
until Hal begins 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 Prince Hal.
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
this opportunity to explain what he thinks are the honourable qualities he feels
Hotspur has over Prince Hal:
Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on
To bloody battles and to bruising arms.
What never-dying honour hath he got
Against 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 Your Majesty’s good thought away from me @ (3.2.130-131). Hal then goes
on to say that 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
been seen 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 Richard 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 Hal=s perceived lack of honour. This scene in act three is a
critical moment between a father and son set up by Shakespeare to enable both
character to Acast off@ their masks and show the reality of their true selves
and asks the question of whether honour is truly what we say it is.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. 1Henry IV. In The Norten Anthology of English
Literature. Eds. M.H. Abrams et all. 5th Ed. New
York: Norton, 1987. Pg. 505-574