Shakespeare Henry the Fourth, Part II
Uploaded by tamii on Oct 26, 2011
This paper examines Shakespeare’s use of the word / concept “wholeness” in this play. (4 pages; 1 source; MLA citation style.
I Introduction
Shakespeare wrote two plays that deal, in essence, with the maturation of a young man from a rogue into a king. The Prince Hal who “hangs out” with Sir John Falstaff, participates in street brawls and robberies, who drinks and gambles and womanizes, becomes in the end one of England’s greatest kings.
As we did in Part I, we’ll see if Shakespeare uses the word “wholeness” in this play, or if he uses other words, and if the latter, how he deals with the concept itself.
II Discussion
As in the first part, I’ve been unable to find the word “wholeness” used in Henry the Fourth, Part II. But the concept of wholeness, coming together, unity, or however we might think of it, is certainly one of the main themes of this play. The first part dealt with disintegration and duality, particularly in the character of Prince Hal, who is the heir to the throne and yet “hangs out” with Sir John Falstaff and other common rogues much to the despair of his father. In this part, we see the resolution of the Prince’s inner conflict, as well as his reconciliation with his father and his assumption of the heavy duties of kingship. It is this fusion that is really the greatest example of “wholeness” in the play.
Throughout Henry the Fourth, Part I and most of Part II, we have seen Prince Hal as a scoundrel; a young man who enjoys drinking and women, and delights in keeping company with Falstaff. We also see that his father, King Henry IV, thinks little of his son, and fears that he will be a very poor king indeed. (We also know something the king doesn’t—that Hal has no intention of continuing his questionable behavior when he becomes king.) But of course his father doesn’t know that, and in Act IV, King Henry IV advises one of his other sons, Thomas Duke of Clarence, to remain close to his brother, because Hal loves him: “How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother? / He loves thee, and thou does neglect him, Thomas. / Thou hast a better place in his affection / Than all thy brothers. Cherish it, my boy;” (Act...