The ancient concept of honor has long entrenched in the Western world, it has a lot of subtle influence on human beings. In the ancient Homer, honor comes from victories on the battlefield and a lot of trophies. Aristotle thinks that the honor is the greatest external good. Honor can actually be divided into several forms, such as the loyalty to families and friends, the bravery on the battlefield, and the spirit of perseverance, etc, these are all considered honor. Honor has become one of the most important themes and topics in books and movies. For example, In books “Henry IV, Part one” and “Winter’s bone”, honor is portrayed dramatically and differently. As a normal human being living in this world, being honorable should always be one of
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He is not really that honorable person. Before the battle between king and the rebels starts, he even wants to make money from the men who do not want to be soldiers and fight against those brutal rebels, instead, he uses beggars and prisoners as soldiers in his army, which is really a dishonorable action to do. In the “Henry IV, Part 1”, honor seems to be precious and valuable, and Shakespeare seems to tell his readers that honor should be won only on the battlefield. But Falstaff goes to completely opposite direction. Hs is kind of cowardly and does not look forward to fighting in the battle and does not want to contribute to his own country. According to what he said, “What is honour? a word. What is in that word honour? what is that honour? air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it? he that died o' Wednesday. Doth he feel it? no. Doth he hear it? no.”(5.1. 135-‐136). This quote directly reveals that Falstaff is not a honorable person, he sees honor as a word with no meaning in it. Honor is just like air to him, and he thinks that honor can not give him any benefits. He hurts others for his own pleasure, he thinks that there is no honor to gain on the battlefield, even though he actually saw Prince Hal killed Hotspur, which is really …show more content…
According to king Henry IV’s depiction of him, Hotspur is “ the theme of Honor’s tongue”. (1. 1. 80) Henry IV sees Hotspur as the most honorable soldier who has strong determination and perseverance. Sir Walter Blunt tells king about his battle with Archibald, he is considered as “ an honorable spoil/a gallant prize” (1. 1. 74-75) Because hotspur’s success in battles, his loyalty to his army, King Henry IV really likes him even Hotspur wants to overthrow his control. He rather have Hotspur this such honorable and fearless person as his son instead of Hal. Prince Hal also has different views of honor. As his father, king Henry IV says, “Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him, / see riot and dishonor stain the brow/ Of my young Harry. O that is could be proved/ That some night-tripping dairy had exchanged/ In cradle-clothes our children where they lay, / And call'd mine “Percy” and his “Plantagenet”/ Then would I have his Harry, and he mine” (1. 2. 83-89). Hal’s father does not even think he is honorable, which makes us think that how different his Prince is. Hal pretty much spends most of his time playing and stealing, which is not something a prince, a honorable person would do. As a prince he is supposed to help his dad consolidate his country and he knows that, he just somehow lazy and irresponsible to himself and his country. Finally, he wants to change himself, he wants to gain honor to
He is not really that honorable person. Before the battle between king and the rebels starts, he even wants to make money from the men who do not want to be soldiers and fight against those brutal rebels, instead, he uses beggars and prisoners as soldiers in his army, which is really a dishonorable action to do. In the “Henry IV, Part 1”, honor seems to be precious and valuable, and Shakespeare seems to tell his readers that honor should be won only on the battlefield. But Falstaff goes to completely opposite direction. Hs is kind of cowardly and does not look forward to fighting in the battle and does not want to contribute to his own country. According to what he said, “What is honour? a word. What is in that word honour? what is that honour? air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it? he that died o' Wednesday. Doth he feel it? no. Doth he hear it? no.”(5.1. 135-‐136). This quote directly reveals that Falstaff is not a honorable person, he sees honor as a word with no meaning in it. Honor is just like air to him, and he thinks that honor can not give him any benefits. He hurts others for his own pleasure, he thinks that there is no honor to gain on the battlefield, even though he actually saw Prince Hal killed Hotspur, which is really …show more content…
According to king Henry IV’s depiction of him, Hotspur is “ the theme of Honor’s tongue”. (1. 1. 80) Henry IV sees Hotspur as the most honorable soldier who has strong determination and perseverance. Sir Walter Blunt tells king about his battle with Archibald, he is considered as “ an honorable spoil/a gallant prize” (1. 1. 74-75) Because hotspur’s success in battles, his loyalty to his army, King Henry IV really likes him even Hotspur wants to overthrow his control. He rather have Hotspur this such honorable and fearless person as his son instead of Hal. Prince Hal also has different views of honor. As his father, king Henry IV says, “Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him, / see riot and dishonor stain the brow/ Of my young Harry. O that is could be proved/ That some night-tripping dairy had exchanged/ In cradle-clothes our children where they lay, / And call'd mine “Percy” and his “Plantagenet”/ Then would I have his Harry, and he mine” (1. 2. 83-89). Hal’s father does not even think he is honorable, which makes us think that how different his Prince is. Hal pretty much spends most of his time playing and stealing, which is not something a prince, a honorable person would do. As a prince he is supposed to help his dad consolidate his country and he knows that, he just somehow lazy and irresponsible to himself and his country. Finally, he wants to change himself, he wants to gain honor to