Juxtaposition in Henry IV Part 1 Essay

William Shakespe bes hydrogen IV is about the reign of atomic number 1 IV, formerly known as total heat Bolingbroke. Here, King henry is formulation a crusade however, his kingship is experiencing a turmoil because of the rebellions against his leadership. It is a historical tactics that gener altogethery creates studies regarding its deals with socio-political issues. Several themes were tackled such as remark. Though it is an undisputed position that esteem is something equivocal, some(prenominal) attempts were unagitated done in order to set it. Several characters on the flirt workforcetioned the word honor.As you read the cope with, you leave behind get the various notions and actions of different characters about it. However, having all those different notions and actions were map of Shakespeares intention of revealing the irony of honor. In Shakespeares Henry IV, it shows that honor depends greatly on the individuals psycheal aspirations and morals. It was si gnifi asstly emphasized as he juxtaposed the characters of Harry, King Henry IVs son, and Hotspur, the Earl of Northumberlands son, both of whom are potential successors to the King.Harrys character is commendable with his wit by concealing his true record and identity. On his first soliloquy he expresses that though he spends nearly of his clock time with bad companions like the robbers, etc. , he is silently works on a political agenda. He has true values were in a way reflected as he reimbursed what his wizs stole. He is just doing that in order to lower the peoples expectations from him so that when the right time arrives, he would astonish everyone as he unveils his true self.With that, he wear be able to gain King Henrys core and the peoples admiration. According to Mabillard, Amanda, Hals first soliloquy that this is and an act, he is acutely aware of the bad company he keeps, provided prefers to show his true colors when necessary, wisely concluding that because ex pectations of him are so low, his accomplishments when shown go forth shine that a good deal brighter. Harry besides wished to be appraised cod to his own efforts and principles and not because of the crown on his head. For him, a noble routine goes along with honor.However, his concept of honor was dubious when he deemed that he can budge Hotspurs honor by killing him. His concept of honor was in like manner probed because of the way he treats and put down his friend Falstaff. Mabillard excessively added that, Hals envy of Hotspur suggests he is not completely confident, since Hal needs to study himself to others. When called to fight the rebellion, Hal comes of age, shedding his apathetic ways, even enlisting Falstaff his thieving friend to fight, symbolic of Hal finally accepting and assuming responsibility for himself and others. For the case of Hotspur, a military man with impulsive actions, honor connotes winning in battles and reason ones reputation against all odds . Fallstaff, the character Harlittz regards as, a person who is represented as a liar, a braggart, a coward, a glutton, etc and til now we are not offended but delighted with him for he is all these as much to amuse others as to gratify himself, regarded Honor as something useless and wasted that does no one any good. Falstaff also juxtaposes honor with violence. For Henry IV however, honor means the good of his people and kingdom.He also believes that honor belonged to the rightful leader of the kingdom. This caused him the dilemma because of the way he was able to gain his current crown, usurping Richard IIs throne and plotting his death. too the essence of honor, the play also juxtaposes the societys class differences and the plays north- federation theme. As Stuart Hampton- Reeves stated, The York scenes are particularly significant, as they give a regional focus to the play in the north, in much the same way that, in 2 Henry VI, the Kentish rebellion of jacklight Cade gives a southern regional focus.There is, in fact, a discerning north/south theme running through 3 Henry VI the second line of the play pursues the horseman of the north and in that respect are repeated references to north/south divisions. Here, the ESC got it wrong the ESC portrayed the Yorkists as bluff northerners, and the Lancastrians as haughty southerners, but the play makes it clear several times that Yorks power base is actually in the south, in Kent and London, whilst Henry, with the Duchy of Lancaster and the might of Northumberland, holds the North. Henry is defeated at St.Albans, in the south York loses the next battle because he is isolated in the northern metropolis of York. Battles take place around York, in that respect are scenes in its castle, the Duke of Yorks head is mounted on its walls, For the societys class, the play also shows the upper class and the royalties as the story revolves on the palace. And the same time, it also shows the low class citizens such as the robbers, towns people, etc. at squealers Tavern. It also juxtaposes the characters of Henry IV and Falstaff as they act as mentor and father to Harry.Two men who are different in class, upbringing, virtue and principles are both playing the same role to Harry. withal juxtaposition on the theme and characters, there were also several juxtapositions in terms of the scene. salutary like in the ending of the play Richard II and the beginning of Henry IVs part 1. Wherein, on Richard IIs ending, Henry is already proclaimed as the king and he is about to start his kinship. However, in the beginning of Henry IV, there is still the plan of Henry of having a crusade.As Mabillard noted, While it is true that these men all have personal reasons for rebelling, we cannot help but think that there is divine guidance at work, fulfilling Richards prophesy, causing Henrys reign to be tumultuous. The structure of the plays certainly supports this theory. Richard II died in 1400, and Shakespear e ends Richard II with Henry just beginning his reign. But at the start of Henry IV, Part I, it seems that no time has passed since the death of Richard. The excursion to the Holy kingdom is still in Henrys mind, and the action seems to take up right where it left off in Richard II. The scene wherein Harry and Hotspur will have their combat is take place next to the similar hazard between Douglas and Falstaff. However, the encounter between Harry and Hotspur is embellished with heroic dialogue and survive action and intense emotion while the encounter between Douglas and Fallstaff is embellished with talks about cowardice and full comic lines. Being a play that was written several years ago, and being based on a story that happened on the years 1402-1403, some might have the psyche that using the same juxtaposition would cause the audience to feel alienate due to the huge time span.However, the political issues narrated on the play are still very much applicable at the present period. Just the like the different views on honor, usurping of power, and war among political leaders. That is why I consider Shakespeares works as timeless.Hampton-Reeves, Stuart. Alarums and Defeats Henry VI on Tour. http//www. chass. utoronto. ca/emls/05-2/hampalar. htm Mabillard, Amanda. Analysis of Shakespeares Sources for 1 Henry IV. Shakespeare Online. 18 Aug. 2006. Hazlitt, William. Characters of Shakespeares Plays. London 1817.