Hal And Hotspur In Richard III
Hal And Hotspur In Richard III
[i:f613a557e6]Explore and compare the ways that Shakespeare presents prince Hal and Hotspur in this play?[/i:f613a557e6]
In this play Shakespeare goes into particular detail with two of the younger characters, Prince Hal and Hotspur. Throughout the play we hear about Hotspur, his personal qualities, bravery, charm and humour. We learn of his views on honour, but we also learn of his lack of realism, his rashness and lack of political acumen. We see Prince Hal's wit and humour, political acumen and signs of genuine redemption and we realise he is worthy of kingship. Throughout the play we witness Hotspur's fall from grace and how it coincides with Hal's gradual ascendancy.
Hotspur's rise and fall is largely linked to the turnout of important events in the play. Hotspur showed personal qualities that were rare in a person. He was generous, energetic and honourable. These qualities gained him respect and admiration from his peers and made him a natural born leader, although he had numerous bad qualities that contributed to his downfall.
In the opening section of the play Shakespeare presents Hotspur as being more honourable and more worthy of royalty than Prince Hal. He begins this play at the height of his achievements but his progress gradually declines, until Prince Hal finally kills him in the battle for the throne in Act 5 Scene 4 Lines 76-79, Shakespeare portrays him in a negative way;
[i:f613a557e6]"I better brook the loss of brittle life
Than those proud titles thou hast won of me
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