King Henry -- Act 2, Scene 4, Lines 1-137
Please post your comment for the first half of Scene 4 of Act 2 here. Instructions are on the Scene 3 post.
posted by T Sale at 3:03 PM
posted by T Sale at 3:03 PM
9 Comments:
Response to Act 2 Scene 4 Part I:
6) Through examining the relationships of Prince Hal to Falstaff and Prince Hal to Poins, an interesting concept appears regarding the level of trust that these characters place upon their relationships. Traveling back to Act 1 Scene 2 and Act 2 Scene 2, when Poins and Prince Hal plan and execute their plan to rob Falstaff and his fellow thieves, there is a continuing trust in that relationship that comes to the surface again at the beginning of this passage when Prince Hal rants about his feelings toward the tapsters in the tavern (2.4.3-34). The prince is not one to tell everyone his thoughts and motives, preferring to keep them hidden most of time, which leads to the idea that since he is a fairly private person, his open attitude and demeanor toward Poins exemplifies his trust of that person. This is further shown when Prince Hal asks Poins for his advice on dealing with the arrival of the thieves (2.4.91). This request for help throws the trust in their relationship to another dimension as Prince Hal begins not only to confide his feelings in Poins, but to also shape his future feelings with Poin’s input. This deep relationship becomes clear when juxtaposed next to Prince Hal’s relationship with Falstaff. Throughout the course of the play, Prince Hal seems to distrust the advice given to him by Falstaff, which leads to the question as to why did Prince Hal instinctively trust Poins, but not Falstaff? Could it have been Prince Hal’s plan to test Falstaff by robbing him and then questioning him about it later by continuously asking “what’s the matter?” (2.4.163). Thus, when Falstaff responded that “a hundred” (2.4.167) came upon the “four of us” (2.4.168), his lie could have solidified Prince Hal’s distrust of Falstaff. Yet, in Prince Hal’s distrust of Falstaff, he questions every response given to him, which leads to a statement that appears to show Falstaff’s devotion to Prince Hal and not his betrayal, which is seen in Falstaff’s statement of why “should I turn upon the true prince?”(2.4.280-281). This leads to a greater vision of Falstaff’s commitment to Prince Hal in that he was willing to give up his personal stances, in an effort to assist the future king. Could this hidden trust be stronger than the instant trust of Poins? Or, is the clear relationship that was always there stronger? The answers to these questions will probably be found later in the play, but the main idea of this relationship is the idea that Prince Hal appears to trust words over actions. Could this hurt his relationships in the end? The differences between these two relationships will be interesting to see change throughout the course of the play.
#6 Act II, Scene iv
Why does Hal need those around him, since they are simply pub crawlers? For example, in the first line, Hal says to Poins, "prithee come out of that fat room, and lend me thy hand to laugh a little" (1-2). Hal clearly needs Poins' company because he changes his mood, and helps him to escape from the tense position that he is in as the Prince of England. Furthermore, he later tells Poins that "thou has lost much honor,/ that thou wert not with me in this action"(18-19). Since Poins did not support Hal in each particular of his latest plot, Hal assumes that he is less valiant, less worthy to share company with the royal family. Hal clearly wants to have only company that will serve him, and will acquiesce to each of his changing moods and ideas. Finally, this relationship also extends to Falstaff, who spent time at the bar recounting the day's adventures to Hal, but repeatedly lying to make himself appear courageous. Falstaff states, "thou knowest I am/ as valiant as Hercules. But beware instinct, the lion will not/ touch the true prince,instinct is a great matter" (246-249). Although Falstaff continually lies to Hal, the Prince tolerates him because Falstaff reaffirms him and alludes to the idea that his role as Prince is in no danger. What fears and anxieties cause Hal to remain acquaintances and friends with pub-crawlers, and why does he need their assurance that he is in no danger?
This section of scene 4 makes me feel bad for Hal. It seems that he doesn't have any real friends, Poins and Falstaff are just there to entertain him. I think he is going through a hard time with his father, and though it seems he is trying to rebel against him, he may just be afraid of gaining the throne. I think the news of a civil war and the rebellion will have a big impact on Hal, but I'm not sure what kind. He seems like the type to run, but he may also see this as his chance to prove to Henry he is a true prince.
2)
Aside from comedic relief, this scene shows the hypocritical side of Falstaff. On lines 122 to 131, he claims that there are three cowards in England who deserve hanging. It is hypocritical for Falstaff to call thieves cowards because in the last act, he justifies robbery as a legitimate job to Hal. This scene is also ironic because the audience and Hal know that Falstaff ran away during the robbery, but Falstaff continues to lie when Hal calls him a coward. This shows not only Falstaff’s hypocrisy, but also serves as comedic relief when an argument ensues.
Act II Scene IV
1) Prince Hal comes into the tavern where Poins is, and is raving about his newfound friends--who also happen to be the bartenders. These bartenders think highly of Hal, and he is pleased to hear it! THey tell him that he is,"...the king of courtesy...a lad of mettle, a good boy". Then Hal basically pokes fun at a young man named Francis. Falstaff, Gadshill, Bardolph and Peto enter the tavern. Falstaff starts by proclaiming that all cowards need to be cursed: "All men are cheaters and schemers, but a coward is worse than a glass of wine with lime in it." (Leave it to Falstaff to compare a coward to an alcoholic drink!) This of course, is utter hypocrasy. Prince Hal and Poins listen to Falstaff as he goes on about cowardice, knowing that earlier Falstaff ran away when they robbed them! Falstaff then begins to tell of the robbery, saying that 100 men, then 16, then 4, then 7 men attacked them, and that Falstaff himself fought them off. Of course, Hal is using his wit to make Falstaff look like a bubbling idiot. Eventually Hal accuses Falstaff of lying, "...you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy..." Falstaff covers up his lie by saying that he purposely acted cowardly, that it was by instinct. Because it was the heir to the throne, Falstaff claims that he didn't want to hurt Hal.
I agree with Sean's response. I think Falstff is very hypocritical, but at the same time he is just having fun. He tries to be the leader of the group by making comments like this one, but he knows Hal always seems to have the final say.
Act 2 Scene 4
3. I really enjoyed this scene. Really, I liked reading it. Hal is such an interesting, complex character. I don't really understand him at times, there are so many underlying aspects of him that I feel like I don't know. For instance, in his speech in lines 94 through 106, he speaks of Hotspur. He describes what he imagines Hotspur to be like, completely insulting him saying, "...he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakdast, washes his hands, and says to his wife, "Fie upon this quiet life! I want work...." (98-100). He is implying that Hotspur is a savage murderer who wants to kill people. Maybe he is afraid for himself that when Hotspur realizes that Hal is in the picture of the line of the crown, he will come after him. He also says, "I prithee call in Falstaff. I'll play Percy, and that damned brawn shall play Dame Mortimer his wife" (104-105). What does he know about Hotspur and the rebellion? Does he know that Hotspur is not telling Katherine? Or am I just over-analyzing this and/or missing the point completely?
What exactly is Hal's relationship with Hotspur?
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5.
Hal hangs out in pubs to raise his self esteem. He accomplishes this by playing tricks on those he finds stupid. For example, in the first part of this scene, Hal questions and confuses his drawer, Francis, just to make a point to Poins that Francis is dumb. After he proves his point, Hal remarks: "That ever this fellow should have fewer words than a parrot, and yet the son of a woman!" (94) Then Hal goes on to question Falstaff about his encounter with the men who stole their robbings. As Falstaff tells his story, Hal questions him about the particulars that Falstaff keeps changing. When Hal finally reveals to Falstaff that he and Poins robbed Falstaff, Hal has made a complete fool of Falstaff. The Prince does things like this to elevate his own knowledge. Perhaps Hal is not recognized by his father or the court, so he must create recognition for himself in the pubs he visits.
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