A text is an exemplification of humanity that may be used to provide the audience with an insight into the perplex nature of people and politics. Composers are consciously aware about the purpose of their text when the choose their textual forms, media of production and language choices. These factors are effective in influencing and shaping meaning in a text. The responder is situated to consider the ways in which Shakespeare’s play Henry IV: Part 1 and Steve Richards’ TED Talk, Art of Politics, represent the confounding nature of people and politics. Both texts effectively depict people’s political motivations and actions as well as the impact political actions may have on individual lives and society more broadly. Both texts offer a provocative
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Through the initial characterisation of Hal, the audience is manipulated to view him as an immature and weak political leader. However, Shakespeare uses this as a façade to demonstrate how political leaders need to strategically present themselves in relationships to achieve their own individual political perspective, which in Hal’s case is power. The positioning of the soliloquy in the exposition of the play is important in presenting his individual political perspective and to present him as calculating and intelligent. He desires to “throw off” this “loose behaviour/ and pay the debt.” This reveals his individual political perspective, as in time he will accept his responsibilities and become King. The theatrical metaphor of the play within the play dialogue between Hal and Falstaff, “wherein is one’s worth for nothing?” is a rapid series of rhetorical questions with repetition of “wherein”. The techniques coupled are intentionally utilised to demonstrate Hal’s complex political motivations and perspective, foreshadowing his banishment of Falstaff in the future. Through this, the audience are positioned to perceive politics as one of strategy and manipulation, but also to recognise that political figures are mindful of their situation and intents of others. Moreover, the power of manipulation is also explored in the character of Worcester. This is demonstrated through his imperative language, instructing Hotspur to “deliver them up without the ransom straight, and make the Douglas’ son your
Through the initial characterisation of Hal, the audience is manipulated to view him as an immature and weak political leader. However, Shakespeare uses this as a façade to demonstrate how political leaders need to strategically present themselves in relationships to achieve their own individual political perspective, which in Hal’s case is power. The positioning of the soliloquy in the exposition of the play is important in presenting his individual political perspective and to present him as calculating and intelligent. He desires to “throw off” this “loose behaviour/ and pay the debt.” This reveals his individual political perspective, as in time he will accept his responsibilities and become King. The theatrical metaphor of the play within the play dialogue between Hal and Falstaff, “wherein is one’s worth for nothing?” is a rapid series of rhetorical questions with repetition of “wherein”. The techniques coupled are intentionally utilised to demonstrate Hal’s complex political motivations and perspective, foreshadowing his banishment of Falstaff in the future. Through this, the audience are positioned to perceive politics as one of strategy and manipulation, but also to recognise that political figures are mindful of their situation and intents of others. Moreover, the power of manipulation is also explored in the character of Worcester. This is demonstrated through his imperative language, instructing Hotspur to “deliver them up without the ransom straight, and make the Douglas’ son your