HAL’S RITE OF PASSAGE
→ HE USES LANGUAGE AS A ● The soliloquy reveals Hal’s innermost thoughts, including his plan
TOOL FOR MANIPULATION
to have a grand reformation of his poor character. Furthermore, it
“Yet herein I will imitate the exposes that Hal’s rite of passage is not genuine or admirable,
sun,”... “so when I throw off this
rather, it is cold and calculated so that he can manipulate his people
loose behaviour, and pay the debt
I never promised, by how much to attain ultimate power.
better than my word I am,” ● In turn, the soliloquy creates a sense of dramatic irony because the
(1.2.157).
audience are informed of Hal’s intentions as opposed to his father
who remains unaware of Hal’s plan to redeem his character. By
doing so, Shakespeare facilitates a sense of anticipation among the
audience regarding Hal’s reformation.
● Additionally, the symbol of the sun references his royal and sincere
intentions, yet, Hal’s claim to merely imitate the sun makes the
audience question Hal’s princely legitimacy given that his means of
attaining respect is deceitful, subsequently, this begs the questions
between honour and deceit.
“I will wear a garment of ● In this scene Hal is passionate and determined to redeem his honour
blood...which, washed away shall in his fathers eyes but also as a person of nobility. The use of high
scour my name with it,” in turn, modality coupled with the assertive first person language creates a
(3.2.135). determined and passionate tone, illustrating that Hal aims to redeem
an honourable status, albeit through corrupt means.
● His intentions to redeem himself are best highlighted through the
religious allegory to baptism (garment of blood), which compares
Hal’s rite of passage into princehood to baptism; a purification of
sins, yet this contrasts strongly with the symbol of blood, enabling
Shakespeare to comment on the corrupt nature of nobility, including
their duality.
Accordingly, this use of facades asserts that Hal’s transition and rite
of passage is merely superficial, in an attempt to gain power and
appear noble in the eyes of his people
KINGLY LEGITIMACY
→ DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS ● Shakespeare comments strongly on the corrupt role and nature of
VS HARD WORK nobility. The religious allusion to heaven enables the king to directly
link himself to god through the great chain of being, in turn,
“And then I stole all courtesy
portraying himself as a noble and pure king.
from heaven, and dressed myself
● However, the strong juxtaposition of heaven against ‘stole’ provides
in such humility that i did pluck
insight into the corrupt nature of nobility, whereby their roles as
allegiance from men’s hearts,”
royalty have not been earned through noble and honest means,
(3.2.50)
rather through corrupt means and various political means
● To add to this, the king uses the metaphor of dressing himself in
humility to suggest that he maintains a strong facade of power to
mask his ill and selfish intentions and the fact that he is not
concerned to facilitate the greater good.
“No more the thirsty entrance of ● The imperative language of ‘no more’ places a strong emphasis on
this soil shall daub her lips with how the authority that the King demands.
her own children’s blood, no ● Yet the anaphora of that phrase creates an inherently helpless tone
more shall trenching war that highlights his illegitimacy as the King and his insecurities
channel her fields,” (1.1.5) regarding his specific pursuit of power
● The personification of the motherland creates an intense sense of
patriotism.
● The violent death-like imagery creates a tone that reflects the state
of civil unrest. This notion mirrors King Henry’s illegitimate pursuit
of power, as a result of which, he has disrupted the great chain of
being
HONOUR
→ HONOUR IS SUBJECTIVE ● Rhetorical question and hypophora verbalise Falstaff’s frustration at
AND SOCIAL MOBILITY the conflicting nature of the values in his society
ISN’T POSSIBLE FOR ● Metaphor suggests that honour is superficial and does not serve any
FALSTAFF practical purpose except for glorifying individuals
● Soliloquy reveals his innermost thoughts and facilitates the process
“What good is honour? Can it
of characterisation as it enables Shakespeare to comment on his
take away the grief of a wound?
personal views on honour
No...Honour is a mere
scutcheon,”
“I see a good amendment of life ● The strong juxtaposition of religion against immorality places a
in thee, from praying to purse strong emphasis on Falstaff’s poor character. Moreover, by falsely
taking” to which Falstaff replies quoting the Bible, it creates a strong sense of irony and creates a
“Why Hal ‘tis no sin for a man to comedic tone for the audience, yet, simultaneously provides insight
labour in his vocation,” into the identity crisis that Falsatff’s is undergoing regarding his role
in society. Falstaff’s justification of his poor character through
religion is ironic for contemporary audiences yet holds true for the
Elizabethan audiences given that social mobility was not possible
given that great chain of being. This prompts audiences to question
the legitimacy of the notion of honour given that it is such an
ambiguous and superficial concept.