Download HNL 380WX Short Assignment on 1 Henry IV

Brian Macaluso Stafford
HNL-380WX
1/25/2016
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HNL 380WX Short Assignment on 1 Henry IV
Part 1: Early Modern Perspectives in England on Honor and Arms.
England in the Early Modern period looked upon medieval virtues of chivalry and honor.
Noblemen displayed their honor through combat arms professional military campaigns. King
Henry IV, Prince Henry, and Hotspur are good examples of this behavior in the First Part of
King Henry I. Their actions are compared and contrasted with that of Falstaff’s, and the chapter
introduces the Elizabethan Neochivalric Culture in connection with these characters in the play.
Aside from the context of the play, the chapter takes a look at the double history that is created
from the play’s historical references to honor. The idea and ideals of chivalry that shaped the
lineage culture of northern England, the symbolic political chivalry of Elizabeth’s court, and the
persistent focus on war and warfare as a profession are the key points described in this historical
context of the play.
Medieval chivalry was a result of military, noble, and religious beliefs. Together they
formed an ethos based on virtues and personal conduct. Honor was also contradictorily seen as
inherited through bloodline and family lineage. There is also a difference between the court and
war honor. The court honor persisting of a higher focus on intellect and scholarship, where war
honor was typically recognized as warrior ethos. These ideals can be traced back to the medieval
feudal system which consisted of honorable knights.
Although the Medieval times were over and feudalism long extinct, Queen Elizabeth
established a romanticized view of the past that promoted the courtship of ladies and the bearing
Brian Macaluso Stafford
HNL-380WX
1/25/2016
of arms to be virtues of an honorable man. This view was carried out by the Tilt, a tournament
that challenged all the men of nobility to express their prowess through ritualistic demonstration
focused highly on appearance. The Tilt was compromised of two events; Sword fighting and
jousting. According to the chapter, these combative demonstrations were false representations of
actual warfare.
War remained an important realm for nobles to gain and display honor and chivalry.
Ironically it was not by their efforts in battle, but rather their success in conquering new peoples
and land, and expanding the glory of their kingdom. On the other hand, nobles sought to display
their honor through armed combat only with other nobles in a tournament setting for all to see.
Part 2: The Honorable Harry Percy vs. the Ungrateful Son of a King
Hotspur most likely got his nickname from his fiery temper disguised as a passion for
justice and honor. His character is so intense and set on displaying his prowess through verbal
aggression and a passion for justice. Meanwhile, Hal seems to be a stain on the royal reputation.
His attitude shows very little interest for the crown or his father. His actions portray his lack of
care for authority, morality, or chivalry. In fact, the two characters seem to be the epitome of
opposites. They do, however, share the desire to be flashy and show off their prowess in a
medieval fashioned duel. Although Hal engages Hotspur in a royal, seemingly honorable, duel,
he does not fight honorably, nor does he fight for honor.
Hal is poorly influenced by Falstaff. Before the duel between Hal and Hotspur, Falstaff
says “…If Percy be alive, thou gets not my sword; but take my pistol, if thou wilt” (V.III.47-48).
Brian Macaluso Stafford
HNL-380WX
1/25/2016
Not so surprisingly, Hal takes his offer. According to the cultural context on chivalry and honor,
taking a pistol to a sword fight would be extremely dishonorable for it makes for an uneven
match. The stage is set with King Henry IV against Douglas, and Hal against Hotspur. Typically
this would not be realistic in a war setting. The nobility would be out of harm’s way.
Shakespeare uses this scene to show us the emphasis placed in tournament fighting during this
time period.
Although the actual fighting of the duel was comprised of a single sentence, the context
of the battle says much about the time period. The opposite is true as well; the context of the time
period helps us understand the characters of Hotspur and Hal better. Both of them fight for their
own virtues. Hal fights to redeem his relationship with the King, and Hotspur fights to defend his
reputation, uphold his honor, and display chivalry in fighting against tyrants. Hotspur seems to
be the epitome of an honorable medieval knight, but his temper gets the best of him. Regardless,
his duel with Hal is a good representation of Queen Elizabeth’s Tilts. The two men fight for their
reputation, and to build their reputation.
Brian Macaluso Stafford
HNL-380WX
1/25/2016
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William, and Barbara Hodgdon. The First Part of King Henry the Fourth: Texts
and Contexts. Boston: Bedford, 1997. Print.