Henry IV, Act II, scene 4, beginning-line 337.
Post your comments about this scene. See the handout for topics and directions. Line 337 is where Prince Hal says, "No. If rightly taken, halter."
Also read and respond to other students' comments.
Comments must be posted by Friday, 9/15.
Also read and respond to other students' comments.
Comments must be posted by Friday, 9/15.
posted by Cheryl Makovsky at 1:43 PM
6 Comments:
I don't really understand what Prince Henry is saying at the very beginning of the scene ("With three or four loggerheads . . . I'll show thee precedent"). I don't understand what he's trying to accomplish. I was also wondering if there was any significance to him saying he " . . . can call them all by their christen names . . ." Also, I don't really understand the significance of the dialogue between Prince Harry and Francis, the servant. Basically, I'm just confused about what is happening at the beginning. I understand the dialogue between Falstaff and Prince Henry, but Henry is really mean to Falstaff. I know Henry is royalty, but I would get angry if someone was always picking on me and calling me names like Hal does to Falstaff. I would probably want to snap back at him. I'm kind of surprised Falstaff doesn't. If anyone can explain the first part of the scene, that would be great!
Hey Megan-
Thanks for the explanation. I think it's a good thing that Hal can get along with the "normal" people, not just the rich and powerful. I think this would make him a better ruler because he would be able to make better decisions for the country as a whole, not just for the rich and the nobles. I think he would be able to understand the people he's ruling better, and therefore, would be held more accountable for his actions. He might have a different outlook on his country, since he is friends with commoners. He might be more fair and concentrate on problems on the interior, not on fighting wars and gaining territory.
One thing that puzzled me in this scene was the exchange between Prince Harry and Francis. Harry teases Francis incessantly but I don't know what the significance of their conversation is. Did Shakespeare write this in simply for comedic relief or is there a deeper meaning that I'm missing?
I was a little unclear on exactly what Hal and Poins were doing at the beginning of the scene. I realize they were messing with the drawer, Francis but I didn't really understand what they were doing. What was the point of this joke?
I think this scene is significant to define more clearly the relationship between Hal and Poins. They were teamed up for most of the scene, first against the drawer and then against Falstaff; they totally set up Falstaff to make him look foolish. He didn't even take it personally and still defended himself when his lies were reavealed outright!
Also, I thought of a fun comparison that I just had to share. Because of how Hal and Poins act together it seems they are on a more equal level of respect compared to how they treat Falstaff. It reminded of me of Stan and Kyle on Southpark and then Falstaff reminded me of Cartman. Stan and Kyle are pretty close friends and then Cartman is just their fat friend that they like to give a hard time. (I don't know if anyone watches Southpark but whoever does knows what I'm talking about!)
2. This scene was a breath of fresh air compared to the scenes preceding it. It was a relief to be able to laugh and connect with the characters on a more personal level. As the humble reader, we can’t fully understand and relate to King Henry or Hotspur because of their different lifestyles of royalty, war, and responsibility. But in this scene we can easily connect with all of the characters. It is a very real and human scene facing issues that we all deal with everyday with our friends and family, pranks. It is very humorous to watch Falstaff get deeper and deeper into his lie while Poins and Hal, who both know he is lying, just play along until they reveal the truth to Falstaff. They tell him that “we two saw you four set on four, and bound them and were masters of their wealth. Mark now how a plain tale shall put you down. Then did we two set on you four and, with a word, outfaced you from your prize, and have it; yea and can show it you here in the house. And, Falstaff, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still run and roared” (lines 225-231). I love how they deliver one quick blow to Falstaff, making him look like a fool after he made himself seem so heroic just moments before. It is something that everyone one of us can relate to, because honestly, who hasn’t tried to make a pathetic story seem better than it was and got caught in a dirty lie? No one!
Post a Comment
<< Home