This speech drives a reader to really reconsider what honor actually is and what its’ true meaning is. This speech talks of the uselessness of honor. Falstaff begins by saying, “well, tis no matter, honour pricks on me” (5.1.824 Shakespeare). Honor bothers Falstaff. Everyone around him is acting violent, and foolish all for the sake of honor. He had asked his best friend to defend him in battle, and the prince responds “why thou owest god a death” (5.1.126 Shakespeare). This is harsh comment to say to a friend. Harry believes that there is honor in fighting and Falstaff owes his life to the lord and to his people. This upsets Falstaff and provokes this speech. Shakespeare uses this speech to open the reader’s eyes to the truth about honor. You have these characters who exemplify everything brave and honorable. This speech shows that all of this is for nothing. Falstaff presents the idea, “what is honour? A word” (5.1.132 Shakespeare). Honor is simply a word, not a physical force. You may feel you have gained honor but what does that give you? It cannot get you a job, it cannot find you love, or take away your pain. Shakespeare lived in a time where men were held to high expectations. Men had to be brutes, and tough, and defend the land. They had to be noble and honorable. What did this give them? Falstaff continues to bring up the idea that those who die receive more honor than the living, “Yea, to the dead, but will it not live with the living” (5.1.135 Shakespeare). Falstaff believes we give honor to those who are dead as a way to dress up their funeral. This speaks on what Hotspur and the Prince are doing. They are going into battle and whomever dies will receive the honor because he has fought and died for it. The one who lived will temporarily have the honor of killing the other, but it will not stick. Falstaff ends by announcing, “Honour is a mere scutcheon” (5.1.138 Shakespeare). It is a mere decoration for a
This speech drives a reader to really reconsider what honor actually is and what its’ true meaning is. This speech talks of the uselessness of honor. Falstaff begins by saying, “well, tis no matter, honour pricks on me” (5.1.824 Shakespeare). Honor bothers Falstaff. Everyone around him is acting violent, and foolish all for the sake of honor. He had asked his best friend to defend him in battle, and the prince responds “why thou owest god a death” (5.1.126 Shakespeare). This is harsh comment to say to a friend. Harry believes that there is honor in fighting and Falstaff owes his life to the lord and to his people. This upsets Falstaff and provokes this speech. Shakespeare uses this speech to open the reader’s eyes to the truth about honor. You have these characters who exemplify everything brave and honorable. This speech shows that all of this is for nothing. Falstaff presents the idea, “what is honour? A word” (5.1.132 Shakespeare). Honor is simply a word, not a physical force. You may feel you have gained honor but what does that give you? It cannot get you a job, it cannot find you love, or take away your pain. Shakespeare lived in a time where men were held to high expectations. Men had to be brutes, and tough, and defend the land. They had to be noble and honorable. What did this give them? Falstaff continues to bring up the idea that those who die receive more honor than the living, “Yea, to the dead, but will it not live with the living” (5.1.135 Shakespeare). Falstaff believes we give honor to those who are dead as a way to dress up their funeral. This speaks on what Hotspur and the Prince are doing. They are going into battle and whomever dies will receive the honor because he has fought and died for it. The one who lived will temporarily have the honor of killing the other, but it will not stick. Falstaff ends by announcing, “Honour is a mere scutcheon” (5.1.138 Shakespeare). It is a mere decoration for a