Henry IV

– Henry’s Personality Essay, Research Paper

From the opening stages of Henry IV, the impression of Hal is not a good one. His father, King Henry, makes reference to him in the first scene and compares him to Hotspur, who, in the king´s eyes, is much more worthy of the throne of England:

“O, that it could be prov´d

That some night-tripping fairy had exchang´d

In cradle-clothes our children where they lay….

…..Then I would have his Harry, and he mine”

This leaves the audience with a negative view of Hal, who we have not yet been able to meet. When we do, in Act 1, Scene 2, he is with Falstaff, and they are engaged in light banter. Falstaff suggests the robbery in Gadshill, which Hal declines to take part in.

“Who, I rob. I a thief. Not I, by my faith.” This refusal to take part in the robbery gives the impression that Hal is not as riotous as the men he socialises with. However, Hal agrees to take part in another robbery, in which Falstaff, having just robbed the travellers himself, will be robbed by Hal and Poins. The fact that he refuses to take part in a serious robbery, but then accepts the offer of robbing Falstaff suggests that he is more the product of high spirits than of true malice.

At the end of this scene comes one of the most important speeches in the entire play. Hal speaks his soliloquy in verse, which is a contrast to the light conversation in prose earlier in the scene. The verse makes him seem more of a nobleman, and is more fitting to the Prince of Wales. He knows that his companions are unsuitable for a prince, and that his behaviour has attracted serious criticism. However:

“…herein will I imitate the sun,

Who doth permit the base contagious clouds

To smother up his beauty from the world,”

This is not the most endearing of speeches. We have just met Hal´s friends and seen how Hal acts with them, yet here he is planning how he will “throw off” “this loose behaviour”. He makes no reference to how he feels this would affect the people he is close to, and he appears only to aspire to his “reformation, glitt´ring o´er my fault”. This seems particularly callous behaviour, especially as we are now privy to the anguish that Hal causes his father.

However, this speech can be seen in another light. Hal is going to become King one day, and this seems to be something he has no qualms about, and something he accepts. He has not let anyone have any expectations about him, so when he does perform this “reformation” it will actually seem more special. He is also very perceptive and shrewd about people´s opinions – “glitt´ring o´er my fault” – they will probably have a lot more respect for him, and will probably forget, or attach less import, to his previous shortcomings, if he manages to make a miraculous recovery from the life of sin. More people will be impressed by him than if he had led a quiet life –

“[My reformation] Shall show more goodly, and attract more eyes

Than that which hath no foil to set it off”

Some of this speech seems quite unprepared and spontaneous – it seems right that this would be something that Hal would have given a lot of thought. He uses a number of metaphors – each better than the previous, which gives the impression of speaking as he thinks, which does not seem to bode well. How well has he thought this plan out. This speech though, is completely honest – you get no impression of trickery, or deception in Hal´s language. He is aware of his imperfections, and plans to do something about them.

The idea that Hal is totally aware of his future responsibilities, and is preparing for them is further underlined in Act 2 Scene 4. Hal has spent a while in the company of some drawers. He says “I have sounded the very base-string of humility”. All of these drawers have sworn allegiance to Hal, and he “…shall command all the good lads in Eastcheap.” Although Hal is quite disparaging about these “good lads”, when he is King of England he will be relying upon “the base-string” of his people to keep him in power. He knows that the most successful kings are those that are popular amongst the peasantry of their country, and he prepares himself for this well, by making himself popular amongst his people.

The impression that Hal really has made a resolution to do something about the way he behaves becomes more obvious in Act 2 Scene 4. Hal has just been summoned to see his father, and Hal and Falstaff are predicting the interview and imitating it. Falstaff is Hal, and Hal the king – the “king” is expressing his views about Hal´s friends, and suggesting that he banish them. Falstaff replies with:

“…banish him not thy Harry´s company. Banish plump Jack, and banish all the world.”

The “king” replies, “I do, I will”. This change of tense is very telling. You sense that the conversation between Falstaff and Hal has slowly gone from jocular to serious over it´s course, and this final ending sounds like it is Hal, not his father talking. The “I will” is determined, and it is felt that nothing could change Hal´s mind. At this point the Hostess, Francis and Bardolph enter, and Falstaff exclaims:

“Out, ye rogue! Play out the play! I have much to say in behalf of that Falstaff.” Falstaff makes one last

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