Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Henry IV, Act IV, Scene 1 and Instructions

Pub Crawlers and Courtiers: Please post your comment about Act IV scene 1 here.

Directions for Act IV posts. All three posts are due Friday, September 29.

Rebels: Read and think about how to perform 4.1. Read and comment on 4.2 and 4.3. Read 4.4, but no need to post a comment about that scene.
Pub Crawlers: Read and think about how to perform 4.2. Read and comment on 4.1 and 4.3. Read 4.4, but no need to post a comment about that scene.
Courtiers (You will perform a rebel scene): Read and think about how to perform 4.3. Read and comment on 4.1 and 4.2. Read 4.4, but no need to post a comment about that scene.

All groups: Read the comments on Mr. Kleeman's class blog, Act IV. Post one comment to a student in that class:
http://lkleeman.blogspot.com/

7 Comments:

Blogger Paige said...

While reading Act 4 scene 1, Hotspur recieves news that his Father is very ill. "'Zounds! how has he the leisure to be sick
In such a rustling time? Who leads his power?
Under whose government come they along?" He has very little concern for his father's health, and asks how he can rest at a time like this. Worcester intercedes and asks the messenger if he truly is sick. Worcester takes the side that Northumberland’s health is of the utmost value to them. He asks how long Northumberland has been sick, and the messenger replies that it has been long, and the doctor isn’t sure of how long he will live. Hotspur is angry; he seems to think his father asked to be sick, because he blames his father’s sickness on his father. Worcester again steps in and confirms Northumberland’s sickness is maim, or an injury, to them, but he doesn’t say anything to agree with Hotspur’s accusation that it was his father’s fault. Worcester thinks through the problem, and finds another problem within it. He believes that people supporting them that don’t know about Northumberland’s sickness will think that he is not there because he does not support what they are doing. He is afraid this may cause a division and cause people to question the integrity of the fight. Hotspur, though thinks it differently, and begins to see how it may help them. He thinks that if supporters see that they will continue fighting with out Northumberland, then they will believe in the strength of the fight and in the rebels, and then when Northumberland returns it will strengthen them even more.Vernon enters, and tells Hotspur of Westmoreland’s march on to England, and of the king preparing to fight back. They start to see their fight coming to a close, for Hotspur says, “The powers of us may serve so great a day
Come, let us take a muster speedily:
Doomsday is near; die all, die merrily.” They still feel they must fight, and if they die, they die not in vain.

Wed Sep 27, 06:12:00 PM 2006  
Blogger haley said...

Paige-
I agree with you. Hotspur's reaction to his father's illness is ridiculous. Hotspur is so caught up in his own desires that he fails to feel even the slightest concern for his father's health. I have to come to the conclusion that Hotspur is nothing more than a selfish pig who is concerned solely with his own well-being and rank. He will stop it nothing to attain more power and glory. He doesn't care about anybody but himself, even his sickly father. It is absolutely absurd that Hotspur would blame his father for his illness. He does not have control over his health, and I think it's horrible that Hotspur would even think to blame his father for this. It is interesting to see how Hotspur and Northumberland's father-son relationship has changed for the worse, while Hal and King Henry's relationship has strengthened.

Thu Sep 28, 12:02:00 PM 2006  
Blogger Stacie C said...

Throughout Scene 1, Hotspur makes two significant comments about Prince Hal, such as, "Where is his [the King's] son,/ That nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales,/ And his comrades that daft the world aside/ And bid it pass? (95-98). Hotspur makes two important assertions about Hal here, the first being that the Prince is well able to perform his duties as soldier and Prince ("nimble-footed"). However, this comment could also have the connotation that Hal is apt at escaping from certain duties, and tends to dance around his responsibilities. Also, he suggests that Hal has missed many opportunities, and has let the world move without him. Will Hal be unable to make up for the chances that he has missed, and the honor that he has failed to attain, through these coming battles? Furthermore, does this reinforce Hal's vow to become respectable and committed to his country, turning away from such friends as Falstaff? Later in the scene, Hotspur says "Come, let me taste my horse,/ Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt/ Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales./ Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse,/ Meet and ne'er part till one drop down a corse" (120-124) Hotspur seems to approach this battle as if he is some super-human force, meeting Hal as a "thunderbolt", a sudden strike that leaves its victims completely unable to defend themselves. Moreover, he seems to compare himself to Hal, "Harry to Harry", and suggests that because their interests are so conflicting, one must die to avenge the other's grievances, whether the revolt undermining Hal's father's authority, or the coup that stole power from Hotspur's family. How will Hotspur's view of Hal affect their coming fight, and what result will it cause in the overall outcome of the war?

Sat Sep 30, 06:10:00 PM 2006  
Blogger Sean K said...

4)
In this scene, Hotspur’s comments show is pretentious attitude towards battle. After Worcester questions the possibility of dissention in camp without Northumberland, Hotspur replies, “If we without his help can make a head/ To push against a kingdom, with his help/ We shall o’erturn it topsy-turvey down,” (lines 80-81). This quote shows that Hotspur feels it is his fortune to beat the King and should not let Northumberland’s sickness ruin their destiny. He believes his men can take a stand against the King and that it is only a matter of time until they oust the King. Also, when he replies, “No more, no more! Worse than the sun in March/ This praise doth nourish agues. Let them come./ They come like sacrifices in their trim,” (lines 111-113) to Hal in arms; Hotspur shows that he will not be swayed by chills that come from Hal’s name because he wants to meet in horse to horse. This is another example of his audacity. Another interesting quote from this scene is Vernon’s description of Hal on lines 104-110 because it shows the transformation of Hal from pub crawler to warrior. Hal is now described as, “if an angel dropped down from the clouds/ To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus,” instead of a common man.

Sun Oct 01, 01:57:00 PM 2006  
Blogger Maya R said...

4.
"'Zounds! How has he the leisure to be sick in such a justling time?"
This comment by Hotspur about his father is funny and sarcastic. It reveals Hotspur's inclination to joke around about so many things.
"The king himself in person is set forth (Vernon)...He shall be welcome too. (Hotspur)"
This quote reveals how cocky and confident Hotspur is.
"All furnish'd, all in arms, all plum'd like estridges that with the wind bated like eagles having lately bath'd, glittering in golden coats like images ass full of spirit as the month of May, and gorgeous as the sun at midsummer, wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls."
Vernon is describing the prince and his armies. I really like the imagery in this passage. I also think it is poetic justice for Hal to be described in such a noble way to his enemy Hotspur, who expects anything but this of Hal, the "madcap Prince of Wales."
"Come, let me taste my horse, who is to bear me like a thunderbolt against the bosom of the Prince of Wales. Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse, meet and ne'er part till one drop down a corse."
I like the play on the names here, by Hotspur. He describes his horse as hot horse - hmm funny.

Sun Oct 01, 05:53:00 PM 2006  
Blogger Melissa said...

Act 4.1
10. This scene displays the rebels’ involvement with Prince Hal, and the way Hal and Hotspur relate to each other. As Hotspur is informed that the Prince Harry of Wales himself is leading troops towards the Battle of Shrewsbury, he learns of Hal’s reformation into a worthy challenger he must fight. The messenger, Vernon, describes Hal illustrates an impressive warrior that has changed from his ghastly state as a pub crawler, “As full of spirit as the month of May/And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer;/Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls./I saw young Harry with his beaver on” (4.4 101-104). Hotspur cuts him off as Vernon begins to compare the Prince to a god or an angel, unable to handle the news of Hal’s glorious reformation. Vernon also emphasizes that Hal has “noble horsemanship” (4.4 110), a trait formerly given to Hotspur, by Hal in the second act, and the other Rebels. Prince Hal has not only gained a worthy position in his father’s mind, but in the Rebels’ world as well. Their plans must change and adapt to his infringement upon them. They not only have to defeat King Henry to take over the throne; Hal stands in their way now. They must strike him down before he can fulfill his inheritance to the throne. Hotspur and Harry both know that they must challenge each other. Hotspur states, “Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse/Meet, and ne’er part till one drop down a corse” (4.4 122-23), recognizing Hal’s reformation and his worthiness to fight.

Sun Oct 01, 11:01:00 PM 2006  
Blogger Nicole M said...

3) this scene gives an interesting insight into Hotspur's character. Hotspur is once again portrayed as immature, and narrow-minded. Hotspur has been so consumed by the thoughts of his rebellion that he has no thought to spare for his ill father that doesn't pertain to the rebellion

Mon Oct 09, 08:22:00 PM 2006  

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