King Henry IV, Part 1 -- Act 1, Scene 3 Reading Blog
When you have finished reading Act I of King Henry IV, Part 1, please post a reading blog for each of the scenes other than the one your acting troupe is performing. Please comment only on Scene 3 of Act 1 on this post. Be sure to label the entry number that you have selected.
Later, come back to the blog and comment on at least one of your classmates' comments. Be sure to indicate which specific comment you're responding to (the person's name), and comment on the appropriate scene's post.
Please complete all three of your comments before we move on to the next act of the play (in this case, before Tuesday, September 12, 2006)
Later, come back to the blog and comment on at least one of your classmates' comments. Be sure to indicate which specific comment you're responding to (the person's name), and comment on the appropriate scene's post.
Please complete all three of your comments before we move on to the next act of the play (in this case, before Tuesday, September 12, 2006)
posted by T Sale at 10:28 AM
8 Comments:
Act 1 Scene 3
6.
The arguement over prisoners in the scene brought up a past relationship between the King and Mortimer. Henry states that to ransom Mortimer would be treason because he betrayed the court by marrying the daughter of Glendow, a traitor. After this statement Hotspur stands up for Mortimer by saying that he simply, "Confound the best part of an hour in changhing hardiment with great Glendower," meaning that they just exchanged favors and that he should not be slandered for revolt. Hostpur later mentions that ,"When I urged the ransom once again of my wife's brother, then his cheek look'd pale...trembling even at the name of Mortimer." The reason for the King's fear is told by Northumberland, which is that Mortimer was the next to the throne to Richard, but that King Henry stole that from him.
The relationship between King Henry and Mortimer could play an important role later in the story. Since Mortimer lost the throne, he could seek revenge and join the rebels. This is supported because later in the scene, Hotspur plans to join the power of Scotland and York with Mortimer.
6.
Hotspur plays up to the king, and the king admires him. However, behind the king's back, Hotspur is very rebellious ;>
The king tells Hotspur to never speak of Mortimer and to send the prisoners. Once the king leaves Hotspur claims that even the devil's roar couldn't make him give up the prisoners. He also says of the king: "I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak nothing but 'Mortimer,' and give it him to keep his anger still in motion."
I just find it interesting that Hotspur is so two-faced. The king won't know what hit him if/when Hotspur strikes out against the king.
4) Scene Lines, I. iii.
-- "My blood hath been too cold and temperate/ Unapt to stir at these indignities./ And you found me, for accordingly/ You tread upon my patience" (1-4).
--It's interesting that the King says that his blod is too temperate-- it seems almost as if he has been too comfortable in his present position, too comfortable in his authority. Does this foreshadow any sort of change in his attitude, or does he become more assertive in the kingdom and the behavior of the nobility?
--"Worcester get thee gone, for I do see/ Danger and disobedience in thine eye./ O Sir, your presence is too bold and peremptory" (14-16).
-- The King seems to be somewhat paranoid of the intents of those around him. Does his paranoia stem from the idea that since he overtook the throne through revolution, someone else could do the same to him? Furthermore, does this suggest anything about Worcester's real intentions, an ddoes it indicate anything about his influence over Prince Hal?
-- "O let the hours be short/ TIll fields, and blows, and groans, applaud our sport" (297-298).
-- This line follows the typical Shakespearean pattern of a heroic couplet at the end of a scene ,and is voiced by Hotspur during a conversation with Northumberland. Hotspur is excitedly awaiting the next battle, and calls warfare "our sport", indicating that it is a lighthearted entertainment, and demonstrating that he has a cruel nature. Why does Hotspur love battle, and what is his ultimate goal by participating?
--"let my soul/ Want mercy, if I do not join with him. Yea on his part, I'll empty all these veins,/ And shed my dear blood, drop by drop in the dust..." (129-132).
--Why is Hotspur so committed to defending Mortimer? Does his dedication spring from his familial relationship with Mortimer, or is it solely that he believes that the King has used him and other members of the nobility to gain power and will turn on them?
--"And when I urged the ransom once again/ Of my wife's brother, then his cheek looked pale, And on my face he turned an eye of death,/ Trembling even at the name of Mortimer" (139-142).
--The King is terrified of Mortimer because he knows that Mortimer has been proclaimed next in line to the throne, and has been prevented from doing so thus far because King Henry turned the nobility to his favor and used them. Is the King aware of Hotspur's ideas, and how far will he go to protect himself and his crown?
Act 1 Scene 3
2)
I think the significance of this scene is to portray the dynamics of the rebels as a whole group. It reveals their plans and true feelings about the king, while also showing how they work with each other.
Hotspur, while very passionate and confident, clearly lacks the skills to effectively lead the rebels. There is a great contrast between him and the Earl of Worcester, who is much calmer and businesslike, and is the clear leader of the rebels.
Hotspur is a hot head. He is overly confident that he can pursuade the king to think his way, and to cool down a little. He gets angry easily and doesn't know how to control these spurts of anger. As soon as Henry leaves, he flares and talks so fast and with such anger that worcester and northumberland can hardly get a word in edgewise. Though Hotspur talks the loudest and the meanest, Worcester rreally has control of the situation. He comes up with the plan, and gets Hotspur to finally calm down.
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I'd like to comment on Nikki's comment. I completely agree with the statement that Hotspur lacks the effectiveness to be a leader. He may be mean and may be a hothead, but he can't control himself, let alone a group of rebels.
Act 1 Scene 3
5. This scene really showed me Hotspur. We hear "great" things about him from Henry in Act 1 Scene 1, and our first introduction of him is absolutely overwhelming.
His hotheadedness leaves no room to talk for any of the other characters, and they are even getting frustrated with his overzealous attitude and pompous demeanor. Northumberland even says of Hotspur, "Imagination of some great exploit/Drives him beyond the bounds of patience" (lines 199-200). Hotspur will not rest until he has voiced his opinions about the situation in his country and what they will do about it.
We see his pompous demeanor through each of his speeches (there are lots and lots of those...), and he even criticizes Worcester of aiding Henry Bolingbroke in gaining the throne, "'Sblood!--when you and he came back from Ravenspurgh" (line 246), a move that requires absolute cockiness and pompousness.
I did not like Hotspur in this scene. I thought he was annoying, he never shutup or let the other men get in a single word edge-wise. Unfortunately, I will have to encounter him, since he will play an important role in the story.
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