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A review by readingisadoingword
Henry IV (Part I) by William Shakespeare
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Henry IV Part 1 is the 10th play we've read as part of the #UpstartCrows2023 Shakespeare Readalong. After Richard II, this is the second episode of Shakespeare’s Henriad.
We meet the inimitable Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's best known characters.
His relationship with wayward Price Hal (Henry IV's son and Prince of Wales) is one of bizarre affection, misdeeds and shenanigans.
I don't know if a play can be a Bildungsroman but this is what this play feels like. Hal (Harry, Prince of Wales) is unfavourably compared to the dashing Henry Hotspur at the beginning of the play. He spends his time drinking and thieving with Falstaff and other dodgy characters, whereas Hotspur is engaging in battles and increasing his reputation and honour.
When rebellion threatens, Hal decides to try and earn his father's respect and reform his previously debauched behaviour.
Identity plays a major part in this play - finding ones own identity, mistaken identity, false kings, reputation, fate etc
Things that struck me were:
The bizarre friendship between Hal and Falstaff - there is obvious affection there but also mockery and deceit. It's an interesting dynamic and particularly at the end when Prince Hal doesn't expose Falstaff.
There is also the irony of Henry IV having himself been a usurper and yet defending his crown from the Hotspur led rebellion. Questions arise about the true definition of Kingship and it's hereditary nature.
All in all I enjoyed this one. I'd love to see Falstaff fully realised on stage and I look forward to the rest of the Henriad.
QUOTES I LIKED:
“But thoughts the slave of life, and life, time’s fool,
And time, that takes survey of all the world,
Must have a stop.”
“The better part of
valour is discretion; in the which better part I
have saved my life.”
"So, when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promisèd,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
I’ll so offend to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will.”
We meet the inimitable Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's best known characters.
His relationship with wayward Price Hal (Henry IV's son and Prince of Wales) is one of bizarre affection, misdeeds and shenanigans.
I don't know if a play can be a Bildungsroman but this is what this play feels like. Hal (Harry, Prince of Wales) is unfavourably compared to the dashing Henry Hotspur at the beginning of the play. He spends his time drinking and thieving with Falstaff and other dodgy characters, whereas Hotspur is engaging in battles and increasing his reputation and honour.
When rebellion threatens, Hal decides to try and earn his father's respect and reform his previously debauched behaviour.
Identity plays a major part in this play - finding ones own identity, mistaken identity, false kings, reputation, fate etc
Things that struck me were:
The bizarre friendship between Hal and Falstaff - there is obvious affection there but also mockery and deceit. It's an interesting dynamic and particularly at the end when Prince Hal doesn't expose Falstaff.
There is also the irony of Henry IV having himself been a usurper and yet defending his crown from the Hotspur led rebellion. Questions arise about the true definition of Kingship and it's hereditary nature.
All in all I enjoyed this one. I'd love to see Falstaff fully realised on stage and I look forward to the rest of the Henriad.
QUOTES I LIKED:
“But thoughts the slave of life, and life, time’s fool,
And time, that takes survey of all the world,
Must have a stop.”
“The better part of
valour is discretion; in the which better part I
have saved my life.”
"So, when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promisèd,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
I’ll so offend to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will.”