Falstaff

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    Falstaff's Honor

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    Remaining onstage at the end of Act V, Scene I of Shakespeare’s The First Part of King Henry IV, Sir John Falstaff delivers a rumination on the meaning of honor that reduces the noble human ambition to nothing more than an empty symbol of the dead. In doing so, Falstaff resists the aims and motivations of the most influential and powerful characters of the play; Falstaff’s passions—for life, for living, for joy—are undervalued by the courtly culture Prince Hal is joining. In this speech, Shakespeare’s drunken knight at once dismantles a principle motivation of the nobility and also champions the universal nature of existence, locating the emotional center of the play not in the rise and fall of kings but in the lived experiences of individuals.…

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    This results in the king’s inner conflict of guilt and desire to protect his position, especially as rebellions rise against him in the form of Hotspur and the Archbishop. Henry IV, Part I, where Falstaff and Hal’s relationship plays out extensively, provides concrete context for Henry IV, Part II 4.5.122-140. The play concludes with the battle where Hal saves his father’s life and becomes a hero. Despite this moment, Henry IV in Part II still sees his son as degenerate and delinquent, and still…

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    such an outrageous character, the costume designer decided to give her something outrageous to wear, a big bow upon her head reflecting her big and hyperactive personality. Another example is the diamond checkered pants that Sir John Falstaff wears. Since his character is a drunkard and the butt of the joke that drives the play, the costume he wears closely resembles those worn by clowns. Nicolette Woodard, the wigs and makeup designer, did a fantastic job of keeping the humorous essence of…

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    In 1 Henry IV, Falstaff is seen as comic and tragic. He is often referred to as the “play’s clown” (Bedford 91). Falstaff lives a life of sleeping during the day and thieving at night. He is often seen as a drunkard. Not to mention the scene where Hal wakes him up and he has a wench in his bed (Norton 1192). Falstaff lives as if every day is carnival or holiday time. Even Hal knows that Falstaff is the Lord of Misrule in the carnival. When Hal is speaking out loud about his plans to appear…

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    Falstaff’s and Hamlet’s method of thought simultaneously forms the bulk of their similarities, and a major difference. Falstaff consistently explains his plans within his Act 5 speeches in such a way that clearly demonstrates his logic, as does Hamlet. However, Falstaff develops a definitive conclusion for his course of action and executes it. For example, his infamous “honor” soliloquy in 5.1, shows his thorough verbalization of a concept—honor, and specifically dying to achieve honor is…

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    Falstaff Throughout the world, there have been many renowned writers that left their mark in literature such as, Christopher Marlowe and Robert Greene, but none more revered than Shakespeare. In his lifetime, Shakespeare composed many great plays with distinctive characters; however, one of the most noted characters of all is Falstaff in the The First Part of King Henry the Fourth (Henry IV). The essential reason Falstaff is timeless and able to continuously resonate with people is because of…

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    Falstaff has been an audience favorite ever since the release of Henry IV Part I. This hyperbolical character lightens up the solemn undertone of this English History play with his humorous ways. At the final part of the play, his comical nature helps him gain the sympathy of all but Prince Harry, whom he shares a seemingly genuine friendship with. Shakespeare reveals the lack of sincerity in Hal and Falstaff’s friendship through two major literary devices: metaphor and meter, along with other…

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    Prince Harry, or Hal, and his friends are drinking in Boar’s Head Tavern in Eastcheap, London. Sir John Bracy sends a message from King Henry to Harry at the tavern. He warns that Percy is growing a rebellion up north. Falstaff suggest that he will pretend to be King Henry so when Harry confronts his father he has already rehearsed how he’ll respond. As the King, Falstaff praises himself. Harry stops Falstaff criticizing that that’s not how his father would speak. Taking the role of his father,…

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    Prince Hal In Henry IV

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    Prince Hal in Henry IV Part 1 is a character that flip flops from being funny to serious throughout the play. At the intro of the play he is goofing around with Falstaff and planning a fake heist with Poins. Their plan is simple, they will pretend to not show to a robbery with Falstaff and three others, but then rob them after they had just robed their victims. This is a perfect example of how Hal is portrayed as a comic character is some parts of the play. However, immediately after he makes…

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    After Prince Henry kills Hotspur in Act Five Scene Four, Falstaff stabs a dead Hotspur, tells everyone he killed Hotspur, and takes the honor away from Prince Henry. Act Five is quite puzzling, because Falstaff just gave a speech about how honor is meaningless. Shakespeare’s audience may come to the conclusion that although Falstaff will not pursue honor, he does not mind taking it away from others. Falstaff is a character that will do anything to better himself. Audiences saw this in Act Four…

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