Although Shakespeare is commonly associated with simplistic plots, complex analysis of his ambiguous writing leads to the discovery of intricate themes. An example of such an effect can be seen in 1 Henry IV, in which themes of the deceptive nature of appearance and the power of language are created through symbolism and contrast. The authenticity of appearance is brought into question as the characters of the play continuously elect to play roles as opposed to acting in accordance with their true nature. In this way, Shakespeare is able to corrupt appearance to the point of making the reality unknowable and force his audience to question the relationship of what one understands to what is true. Simultaneously, 1 Henry IV highlights the significance
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To understand the symbolism in the King’s speech it is crucial to acknowledge Henry’s earlier monologue in which the Prince compares himself to a rising sun: “That, when he please again to be himself / Being wanted, he may be more wondered at / By breaking through the foul and ugly mist” (1.2.170-173). Later, this speech is eerily echoed by the King in his speech when he announces, “Afford no extraordinary gaze / Such as is bent on sunlike majesty / When it shines seldom in admiring eyes,” (3.2. 78-80). Here, speaking about Henry in terms of the sun, and how appearance can be manipulated by context, the King reflects the theme of a reality unconnected to appearance. If Henry can be thought of as a better person merely because he used to associate with “foul and ugly mist” and then abandons such company without a real change to his personality he has dissociated his image from his true nature. The premeditation of Henry’s redemption is a device used to force the audience to notice the way in which what can be seen can not always be trusted, and how Shakespeare uses appearance as a tool to effect reality in 1 Henry IV. The symbolism created by Shakespeare in the King’s speech works to enforce the theme of the separation of appearance and reality by isolating the perception of Henry from his true
To understand the symbolism in the King’s speech it is crucial to acknowledge Henry’s earlier monologue in which the Prince compares himself to a rising sun: “That, when he please again to be himself / Being wanted, he may be more wondered at / By breaking through the foul and ugly mist” (1.2.170-173). Later, this speech is eerily echoed by the King in his speech when he announces, “Afford no extraordinary gaze / Such as is bent on sunlike majesty / When it shines seldom in admiring eyes,” (3.2. 78-80). Here, speaking about Henry in terms of the sun, and how appearance can be manipulated by context, the King reflects the theme of a reality unconnected to appearance. If Henry can be thought of as a better person merely because he used to associate with “foul and ugly mist” and then abandons such company without a real change to his personality he has dissociated his image from his true nature. The premeditation of Henry’s redemption is a device used to force the audience to notice the way in which what can be seen can not always be trusted, and how Shakespeare uses appearance as a tool to effect reality in 1 Henry IV. The symbolism created by Shakespeare in the King’s speech works to enforce the theme of the separation of appearance and reality by isolating the perception of Henry from his true