Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
¶ … Shakespearre Contruction the Different Beliefs of Honor Between Falstaff and Hotspur
The two characters in Shakespeare's play Henry IV are in obvious opposition, regarding their ideas about honor and courage. Of the two, Falstaff is a much more complex and deep character, both comic and dramatic, and one of the most famous in Shakespeare's plays. He is a punster and a very witty character, who, in the Shakespearian manner makes us doubt the already established moral values or ways of looking at the world, through his famous attitude in front of death, which seems to be the outcome of cowardice, but which obviously betrays a much deeper view of life.
Whereas Hotspur is the valiant soldier, admired by everyone, even by king Henry IV himself, who prefers him to his own son, Falstaff seems only a jester who is irresponsible and coward, and who takes nothing seriously.
However, the complexity of the character suggest actually a generally human attitude in front of death by questioning the value of honor when the price is death itself:
For Falstaff, on the other hand, the language of moral reformation in I and 2 Henry IV carries economic, not political or spiritual ambiguities. Hal, ironically amused, notes the rapidity with which Falstaff transforms his pledge to "give over this life,... And I do not, I am a villain, I'll be damned for never a king's son in Christendom" (IH4 I. ii. 95-97) into a plan to take purses at Gadshill: "I see a good amendment of life in thee, from praying to pursetaking" (102-103). Falstaff's instant moral defense is that it is "no sin for a man to labor in his vocation" (104-105). His pun on vocation as profession and religious conversion is echoed at Shrewsbury when Hal tells Falstaff to prepare for battle and say his prayers, for he "owest God a death" (V. i. 126)." (Bloom, 248)
While Hotspur never hesitates in his the question of honor, Falstaff always waver and changes his point a view in seemingly unprincipled way. Actually, the point that Shakespeare is trying to make with this character is that human nature is much more complex than Hotspur, for example, and honor is not of such value when faced with the question of " to be or not to be."
Works Cited
Bloom, Harold Falstaff New York: Chelsea House, 1992
Shakespeare, William Henry IV http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/henryIV1
William Shakespeare Should Shakespeare's Work Be Translated? Shakespeare has been the lord of writing for centuries. His work, full of wit and puns has not been replaced by any other writer so far. However, the language used in Shakespeare's work has been the reflection of the then literary language which was full of flavor and richness and suited the culture of Western world then. The question is whether Shakespeare retains its meaning
She declares that a man who snatches what he desires is actually a true man. Lady Macbeth burdens herself by seducing his husband into committing the murder afterall. Although, initially she has the strength and potential to deal with the task of abetting in a murder and thinks she will be able to forget all about it once she becomes the Scottish Queen but eventually conscience overpowers her vices. She
Shakespeare's Sonnets 18, 73, 97 Poets have often looked to nature for inspiration and as a vehicle for self-expression. Throughout his lifetime, William Shakespeare is known to have written 154 sonnets, which cover various topics such as love, mortality, and the passage of time. Of these sonnets, sonnet numbers 18, 73, and 97 incorporate seasonal symbols that allow Shakespeare to express his love, the passage of time and its effect on
Shakespeare Journal 9/14 Sonnets (1. I usually have to force myself to read poetry, especially sonnets about romance that seem contrived or sentimentalized. Also, I am not very good at understanding and explaining the various metaphors, hidden meanings and so on. Sonnet 18 is so famous that it has long since turned into a cliche ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") and would simply not go over very well is
Shakespeare's Plays: Henry the IV Part I, Hamlet, a Midsummer Night's Dream Henry the IV, Part I Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 78-90. KING HENRY IV: Yea, there thou makest me sad and makest me sin In envy that my Lord Northumberland Should be the father to so blest a son, A son who is the theme of honour's tongue; Amongst a grove, the very straightest plant; Who is sweet Fortune's minion and
Shakespeare's Othello: Is it a tragedy according to Aristotle? Aristotle and tragedy Aristotle defines tragedy as imitation of an action that is serious and has a certain dramatic and complete magnitude. Tragedy to Aristotle is something that is: "A form of drama exciting the emotions of pity and fear. Its action should be single and complete, presenting a reversal of fortune, involving persons renowned and of superior attainments, and it should be written