Honor Explored in Shakespeare\'s I

Honor Explored in Shakespeare's I Henry IV

Honor becomes a principal theme in William Shakespeare's play, I Henry IV. Through the young men, Prince Hal and Hotspur, Shakespeare delves into how character can be misleading at times and how we must learn to look at a man's actions instead of his words to determine if he is actually honorable or not. Our impressions of these two young men are polar opposites, with Hotspur seeming to win in the category of honorable. Hal is anything but honorable as he passes his days in taverns. This is a first impression and Shakespeare intends on turning these impressions on their head in this play. Shakespeare uses this situation to demonstrate that it is risky to judge people by our first impressions of them. In short, Shakespeare proves that first impressions are not always accurate. Within this lesson, we also learn the definition of honor. Hotspur steals everyone's attention at the beginning at the play only to be outdone by Hal, the least like individual to do so. Honor is worth more than words and Hal manages to win not just the heart of his father but readers as well.

Shakespeare engages readers with diverse characters to illustrate his points. True to many situations in life, his characters develop and this is exactly what happens to Hotspur and Hal. In the beginning of the play, he gives the impression that he is the young man that possesses the most honor and would become an honorable man. His triumph over the Scots appears to be working in his favor. He is proud and, for all intents and purposes, has every reason to be. His character is charming and very engaging. It is also worth noting that King Henry admires him greatly. He is aware of Hotspur's potential and even expresses the notion that it would be nice if her were his son rather than Hal. The king says:

In envy that my Lord Northumberland

Should be the father to so blest a son,

A son who is the theme of honor's tongue,

Among a grove the very straightest plant. (Shakespeare I.i.79-82)

Shakespeare draws attention to the King's attraction to Hotspur with this statement. It is significance to realize that the king is ruling at a time when the boundaries of his country were unsafe. He does not have time to be anything but noble and honorable. He is refined and dignified and he is equipped to defend his land and people. He is also honorable. By making the king this way, Shakespeare forces to see Hotspur as the greater of the two young men at this juncture in the play. We can also understand why the king would favor him over Hal.

Hotspur is a fearless young man and this is one characteristic that every honorable man must possess. He says:

Send danger from the east unto the west,

So honor cross it from the north to south;

And let them grapple. O, the blood more stirs

To rouse a lion than to start a hare! (I.iii.195-8)

Shakespeare draws more attention to Hotspur's honor by having him define it for us. He understands the commands of combat and he is easily motivated. This makes him a superior warrior because he will most likely fight every time he has the opportunity to do so. He perceives every chance to fight another chance to win honor for his name and this keeps him going when others might grow weary. He is an admirable young man and appears to have a brilliant future.

On the other hand, Prince Hal seems to be missing the mark when it comes to honor and honorable intentions at the beginning of the play. He is indolent and quite cavalier about his position in life. Part of Hal's problem lies with the company he keeps. Falstaff might be a world of fun but he is not the brand of role model any king would want for his son. In fact, Falstaff is the epitome of what honor is not. He spends most of his time in bars drinking and says such things like, "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" (Henry IV II.iv.82-4). It is also unfortunate that Falstaff is like a father to Hal. He even pokes fun at those that enjoy fighting. An example of this is when he says, "I am not yet of Percy's mind, the Hotspur of the north, he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast, washes his hands, and says to his wife, 'Fie upon this quiet life! I want work'" (II.v.94-97). Here he is deliberately pointing out that he is not of the same kind as Hotspur and proud of it. Falstaff is not the kind of person that should be influencing a young man on the threshold of becoming king. Hal, however, is enchanted by him and appears to be missing the mark when it comes to his future.

Shakespeare delivers, however, by turning the tables on Hotspur and Hal. Hal eventually reveals a bit of his intelligence in the scene where he was being compared to Hotspur. His transformation convinces his father that he has become the honorable young man the king he hoped he would. To prove his true intentions, he vows to kill Hotspur.

This in the name of God I promise here,

The which if He be pleased I shall perform,

I do beseech Your Majesty may salve

The long-grown wounds of my intemperance.

If not, the end of life cancels all bonds,

And I will die a hundred thousand deaths

Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow. (III.ii.153-9)

From this speech, Hal emerges a new man and begins to acknowledge his place in life. This change also indicates how readers begin to see Hal. He is no longer the lazy kid at the beginning of the play but rather a man driven by honor and what it means to be a man. Our opinion of Hal is not the only thing that has changed. Readers also have a renewed impression of Hotspur by this time in the play. As Hal looks at Hotspur's dead body, he says:

When that this body did contain a spirit,

A kingdom for it was too small a bound,

But now two paces of the vilest earth

Is room enough. (V.iv.88 -- 91)

This scene reveals how far Hal has come in regards to his emotional maturity. We also realize that Hotspur did not die a noble or honorable death.