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Explore and compare the ways that Shakespeare presents prince Hal and Hotspur in this play? In this play Shakespeare goes into particular detail with two of the younger characters, Prince Hal and Hotspur. Throughout the play we hear about Hotspur, his personal qualities, bravery, charm and humour. We learn of his views on honour, but we also learn of his lack of realism, his rashness and lack of political acumen. We see Prince Hal's wit and humour, political acumen and signs of genuine redemption and we realise he is worthy of kingship.
Throughout the play we witness Hotspur's fall from grace and how it coincides with Hal's gradual ascendancy. Hotspur's rise and fall is largely linked to the turnout of important events in the play. Hotspur showed personal qualities that were rare in a person. He was generous, energetic and honourable. These qualities gained him respect and admiration from his peers and made him a natural born leader, although he had numerous bad qualities that contributed to his downfall.
In the opening section of the play Shakespeare presents Hotspur as being more honourable and more worthy of royalty than Prince Hal. He begins this play at the height of his achievements but his progress gradually declines, until Prince Hal finally kills him in the battle for the throne in Act 5 Scene 4 Lines 76 - 79, Shakespeare portrays him in a negative way; "I better brook the loss of brittle life Than those proud titles thou hast won of me They wound me thoughts worse than a sword my flesh" Coinciding with Hotspur's downfall comes the redemption of Prince Hal who in Act 5 Scene 4 Lines 61 - 62 states; "Why then I see A very important rebel of that name" Here Prince Hal shows that his character is maturing; he is honourable and virtuous to praise Hotspur without mentioning his faults. Now he has honour ability and maturity that was not evident earlier. Throughout the play Hotspur shows eloquence in his speaking. Yet he is more eloquent than he would like to imagine. An example of this is presented in Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 28 - 68, when he is giving his view to the king on his refusal to hand over his prisoners after their battle.
This speech is Hotspur's most famous speech in the play. His usual characteristics are expressed here, along with great eloquence. The language used is simple and direct to the point. It moves rapidly and shows Hotspur's style of humour. He says of the messenger; "He was perfumed like a milliner" Despite Hotspur's comments on poetry in Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 125 - 135 where he had commented, "Had rather be a kitten and crew mew; Than be one of those same metre ballad mongers", he himself has some of the finest poetry in the play. In this speech we see as well as great eloquence, his impatience and lack of tolerance.
Hotspur is shown to care greatly about honour. He mentions "It were an easy leap To pluck bright honour from the pale fac'd moon Or dive into the bottom of the deep Where fathom line could never touch the ground And puck up drowned honour by the locks, " Act 1 Scene 3 Lines 199 - 203 This is generally seen as an imbalance in Hotspur's character. The hyperbole indicates a desire for honour and a lack of respect for the world. He has a lack of political acumen whereas Hal is very good politically. Hotspur also has numerous weaknesses in his character, which Shakespeare gradually undermines. For example, in Act 3 Scene 1 the rebels are discussing the separation of England and Wales for themselves, Hotspur mentions; "But in the way of bargain, mark ye me, I'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair" He reveals here a lack of political acumen.
He seems ton show no comprehension of the effects his comments or statements may have on others. Due to this Glendower abandons the rebels at Shrewsbury, where they then lost the battle. Hotspur's rashness also led him to be easily manipulated by his father and Uncle as it is Worcester who confesses before the battle in lines 1 - 2 Act 5 Scene 2; "O no, my nephew must not know, Sir Richard The liberal and kind offer to the kings" Here Worcester is being cast as the villain of the piece, however this allows Hotspur to die without any real stain on his character. Shakespeare adds to Hotspur's innocence by his quote in act 5 Scene 2 Line 35, "Did you beg any?
God forbid." This presents Hotspur as being interested in peace. However, he is too proud to show it. His pride is also shown when Hal and Hotspur meet on the battlefield in Act 5 Scene 4; "To end the one of us; and would to God Thy name in arms were now as great as mine!" Hotspur shows here that he feels Hal is not as good as him as he does not have any military success behind him. Hal sees as beneficial: we know this because in Act 3 Scene 2 he mentions to his father; "Percy is but my factor, good my lord, To engross up glorious deed on my behalf, " Hal is saying here that he will collect Hotspur's reputation when he kills him. Hotspur is also a great soldier. Shakespeare presents him as being courageous, energetic and with a playful attitude to his wife.
Although he use a playful attitude toward his wife we should acknowledge that he is treating her poorly. He seems her misjudge her in Act 2 Scene 3 saying; "I know you wise but yet no further wise Than Harry Percy's wife; constant you are But yet a woman; and for secrecy. " He intends to tell her nothing of the rebellion due to his belief in line 115 that "Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know. " Lady Percy now seems distressed and saddened, in lines 42 - 43 she mentions; "Tell me, sweet lord, what is't that takes from thee Thy stomach, ...
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