Henry IV, Act V, scene 1 and Directions
Rebels and Pub-Crawlers, post your comment about this scene below.
Act V Instructions:
All 3 comments must be posted to the blog by Friday, October 6.
Act V Instructions:
All 3 comments must be posted to the blog by Friday, October 6.
- Courtiers: Read and think about how to perform 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4. Post comments about 5.2 and 5.5.
- Rebels: Read and think about how to perform 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4. Post comments about 5.1 and 5.5.
- Pub-Crawlers: Read and think about how to perform 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5. Post comments about 5.1 and 5.2.
- All groups: Post a comment to someone in Mr. Sale's class or in Mrs. Makovsky's class. (Find the link to Mr. Sale's blog in the Act IV, scene 1 blog.)
posted by Cheryl Makovsky at 10:17 AM
3 Comments:
5. Hal has made a complete turn-around from the beginning of the book. He is ready to fight for his father and has even made a very noble suggestion,
"Yet this before my father's majesty:
I am content that he shall take the odds
Of his great name and estimation,
And will, to save the blood on either side,
Try fortune with him in a single fight."
He has truly taken on a kingly role by offering to lay down his life to save the life of his father and his countrymen. He has transformed from a little boy to a man. He has taken his responsibilities and is fighting for his own honor. I am impressed with his turnaround!
5. Throughout the play, the King always seems somewhat deceived particularly in his assessments of others. People are always acting against him; he is never acting against others. His accusations do not cease at the beginning of Act 5, Scene 1 as he accuses Worcester of betraying him: "How now, my Lord of Worcester? 'Tis not well/ That you and I should meet upon such terms/ As now we meet. You have deceived our trust/ And made us doff our easy robes of peace/ to crush our old limbs in ungentle steel./ This is not well, my lord; this is not well" (5.1.10-15). Worcester is betraying the king? True enough he is rebelling, but his interests seem fair because King Henry stole the throne from the rightful heir, yet uses subtle maneuvers such as the royal 'we' (or in this case 'our') to seem like he is not the only victim in the situation.
Often in history, a particularly great or beloved ruler comes after a rather unsuitable one for one reason or another. Is it because they see the other's mistake or simply everyone is relived from the first that they treat the next far more graciously? In Hal's case, it's rather debatable since his father creeps about while looking most pompous and superior. He's a twisted version of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
5. It's hard to believe that this Prince Henry is the same man who was just stealing and lying and living a life of sin and deceit. I am amazed at how much he has changed, and in such a short time. War and responsibility has really sobered Hal up, so much that he won't even pay attention to an old friend. Falstaff, afraid of the looming battle, tells him "Hal, if thou see me down in the battle and bestride me, so; 'tis a point of friendship," but Hal responds "Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship. Say thy prayers, and farewell." Falstaff continues to express his fears, wishing that it "'twere bedtime, Hal, and all well," but Hal simply blows him off and offers a quick reply: "Why, thou owest God a death" (121-126). Even though I think Hal has definitely changed for the better in becoming more mature and responsible, I am disappointed in his impatience with Falstaff. Afterall, Falstaff was a father figure to him for so long and taught him so much, even if it was just lessons on how he shouldn't act. Flastaff deserves more respect or at least a little more attention from Hal because afterall he is helping Hal in the war and supporting his cause. A truely honorable man wouldn't just forget about their friends like that, no matter how vile they once were.
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