King Henry IV -- Act 5, Scene 2
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posted by T Sale at 11:10 AM
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Previous Posts
- King Henry IV -- Act 5, Scenes 3 and 4
- King Henry IV -- Act 5, Scene 5
- Henry IV, Act IV, Scene 1 and Instructions
- Henry IV, Act IV, scene 2
- Henry IV, Act IV, scene 3
- King Henry -- 3.1.1-197 and Instructions
- King Henry -- 3.1.198-276 and 3.2
- King Henry -- Act 3, Scene 3
- King Henry -- Act 2, Scene 3
- King Henry -- Act 2, Scene 4, Lines 1-137
6 Comments:
Significant Passage:
At the beginning of scene ii, Worcester hears the King's message but tells Vernon to conceal it from Hotspur, and states, "My nephew's trespass may be well forgot, it hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood and an adopted name of privilege: A hair brained "Hotspur," governed by a spleen. All his offenses live upon my head, and on his father's. We did train him on, and his corruption being ta'en from us, we as the spring of all shall pay for all" (16-24). Why has Worcester waited until now to try to explain Hotspur's nature, and why does he attempt to blame it on his name and his hot-blooded attitude? It almost seems like Worcester now regrets having participated in the war, and that he feels somewhat guilty for having encouraged and trained Harry Percy in his actions. Does he feel genuinely remorsefull for having corrupted Hotspur, or is he only sorry that he will probably die because of it? What is Shakespeare's purpose in including this conversation in the scene, since Hotspur would not likely have conceded to the King's offer?
8)
With the rebels on the verge of battle, the image of blood plays an important role in describing the character of Hotspur during this passage. It is first referenced by Worcester in line 17, “My nephew’s trespass may be well forgot;/ It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood,/ And an adopted name of privilege,” which shows Hotspur’s tendency for war. This tendency for war is why Worcester believes that the King will break a deal with the rebels and Worcester therefore decides to omit this news from Hotspur. Blood is also referred to by Hotspur in lines 94-95, “And here draw I/ A sword, whose temper I intend to stain/ With the best blood that I can meet withal/ In the adventure of this perilous day,” which Hotspur says to his soldiers. Again, this shows Hotspur’s fixation for battle because he wants to kill as many men as possible. Hotspur is now on a vendetta and does not want to reason with the King, but wants to inflict as much damage as possible. Clearly, the blood images in this scene that relate to Hotspur show the extreme mentality Hotspur has created against the King.
2.
Without this scene, we would not see the depth to which the rebels' disunity stretches. Worcester doesn't trust Hotspur to make the right decision regarding the offer of peace, so he doesn't even reveal this information to Hotspur. He also hides Prince Hal's challenge from Hotspur.
Response to Act 5 Scene 2:
1)
At the beginning of this scene, Worcester and Lord Vernon are talking about King Henry's pardon and the offer of a one-on-one battle between Hotspur and Hal. Worcester selfishly decides to not tell Hotspur about either of these. He says, "The king should keep his word in loving us; He will suspect us still and finds a time To punish this offence in other faults." Worcester claims that both he and Northumberland would still be treated badly because of their old age. THen Hotspur and Douglas enter, and Worcester tells Hotspur that the King has insulted their family. In his usual hot-headed fashion, Hotspur challenges the Percys on the battlefield. After Hotspur has sent a messenger to let the Percys know of his challenge, Worcester lets him know the truth about Hal's one-on-one idea. Hotspur readily agrees to it, and says that he will "...enbrace him with a soldiers arm". A messenger enters with letter for Hotspur, and he says that he is too preoupied to read them. Then, Hotspur and the rest savor their last moment: "For heaven to earth, some of us never shall a second time do such a courtesy"
Act 5 Scene 2
5. Worcester's actions surprised me in this scene. He manipulates Hotspur to rush into action that he was warning him about in the previous act. Remember in Act IV Scene iii? As Hotspur was eager to rush into the monumentous battle with King Henry's forces, Worcester urged him, "Good cousin, be advised; stir not tonight" (line 6), and "The number of the king exceedeth ours./For God's sake, cousin, stay till all come in" (lines 28-29). He is worried and cautious about the situation in this act, and attempts to persuade Hotspur to avoid fighting. Yet, once he is offered the pardon from the King in Act V scene i, his manner changes. He realizes that if they accepted, the king would never cease his watch on them and they would forever be under scrutiny, "He will suspect us still and find a time/To punish this offense in other faults" (6-7). When he decides not to tell Hotspur of the pardon, he is only remaining silent in order to protect his and his family's own future from the King.
He manipulates the young warrior Hotspur quite well, as he has rad his character throughout their journey, and he knows how he will react when he lies and tells him the King slandered his family. He calls Hotspur, "A hare-brained Hotspur, governed by a spleen./All his offenses live upon my head/And on his father's. We did train him on" (19-21). It almost sounds like Worcester resents Hotspurs disposition and is finally taking action against him by manipulating him. He resents the fact that Hotspur's actions led them to the position they are in--whether or not they should give up their privacy and dignity and succumb to the king, or whether they should risk the battle, that will possibly lead them to their deaths?
2. this scene is significant because it once again draws attention to Hotspur's flaws, while comparing him to the more mature and honorable Hal that was introduced in the previous scene. Hotspur's hot-headedness is once again made apparent when he immediately flares up after hearing of the alleged slurs against his family. By immediately sending a message to Henry, this hot-headed, temper-driven Hotspur seems very childish and immature when compared with the Hal from the previous scene.
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