Characters in Henry IV Part I

Identifying Dramatic Worlds within Shakespeare's Historical England

Dec 8, 2008

This article explores a classification of the play's characters into four discrete worlds, and the dramatic impact of covering such a diverse cast of characters.

The Court, Represented by King Henry

King Henry is a portrayed as a self-doubting ruler. The play questions the legitimacy and divine mandate of his rule, having grabbed it from Richard II. The apparent failure of Hal to succeed him leads him to "believe that thou art only marked/ For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven/To punish my mistreadings."

Henry IV Part I reaches an interim resolution, with King Henry's victory over Hotspur’s armies, and also sets the stage for the theme of monarchy succession in Henry IV Part II.

The Tavern, Represented by Falstaff

Falstaff’s role is integral to understanding the play, given not only by his amount of stage lines and presence, which exceed the rest of the cast, but also the depth of his character .

The Countryside, Represented by Hotspur

Hotspur attacks King Henry’s monarchy from the countryside, presenting the idea that King Henry does not hold a secure rule over his lands. Hotspur’s character is important in several aspects:

Hotspur’s Heroism

Hotspur is "a son who is the theme of honour’s tongue", a brilliant fighter and worthy successor to kingship. Garber argues that Hotspur might be seen as a ‘Marlovian hero’ portrayed in a "quasi-mythic" light, importantly firstly as contrast to Hal, and secondly as a polarity which he must mediate with, between the other spectrum of influence that is Falstaff.

Language

Mark Van Doren considers Hotspur as ‘"he created speaking man", and critics have debated the style and importance of his ‘thick’ accent. Regardless, his language strengthens his character as hot-blooded and passionate, if somewhat impatient and rash. This is best seen in two scenes, the first where he rages against the king who has "put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose,/And plant this thorn, this canker" into rule, and secondly, in his anger at Glywndr’s speeches about magic, whom he sees as foolish and tedious.

Women

Hotspur is the only character who has a lady, and his interactions with Lady Percy can be considered, as by Jean Howard, as an indication of vulnerability which characters do not possess. The role of wives and women is worth considering in greater depth, including a comparison with those in other plays.

Glyndwr represents a realm of magic in Wales: "at my birth/ The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes", evoking images of the supernatural that Shakespeare will portray in greater vividness by Macbeth. Within the play though, his appearance might be interesting, but not as significant as the other conflicts. Garber points out that the play is not a romance and Glyndwr’s role is the least stressed, though perhaps the most suggestive, of the four worlds.

Blending of Four Distinct Worlds

Jean Howard explains how Henry IV Part I exceeds a conventional chronicle history to achieve a mode of chorography, writing about the various groups in relation to specific places and societies. According to Marjorie Garber, Henry IV Part I can hence be seen to contain elements of the other Shakespearean genres of comedy, tragedy and romance.

The effect is to create a sense of richness and variety, with the theatre becoming a microcosm of English society and the surroundings. Through multiple plots and the juxtaposition of worlds, Shakespeare creates "the illusion of complex temporal simultaneity and social and geographical heterogeneity."(Walter Cohen)

Bibliography:

The copyright of the article Characters in Henry IV Part I in Shakespearean Theatre is owned by Jing Heng Fong. Permission to republish Characters in Henry IV Part I in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.