English 241:  Shakespeare's Plays

Henry IV, Part 1 Study Questions

1.1

What do we learn from this opening scene about who is fighting whom in Henry’s kingdom?

Who are the following: Westmoreland, Walter Blunt, Northumberland, Worcester, Henry Hotspur, Owen Glendower, Douglas, Prince Hal?

Why is it the practice for a victorious general to turn over his prisoners to the King?

Why is the King so upset about his own son? Where is Prince Hal and what is he doing?

1.2

How is Falstaff characterized in this scene? What are Falstff’s literary, dramatic, and cultural antecedents? If you were casting his part for a film, what kind of appearance would you want to find in the actor you chose?

Although he seems to be just a carefree "good old boy" when he is around the Prince, how does Falstaff reveal a self-interested concern about his future?

Once all his companions have left him alone at the end of this scene, we learn from his famous "I know you all" speech that the Prince is not quite as naive and carefree as he had appeared; do you think that the Prince's speech makes him look calculating or just smart and politic?

1.3

Whom does the King think is the real conspirator in the Percy family?

How does Hotspur's description of the fop who made him so angry on the battlefield help to characterize him?

What do we learn about Edmund Mortimer that might explain why the king is not eager to ransom him?

How does Hotspur behave once he is left alone with his father and his uncle? What does his behavior (which goes along with his name) reveal about his character?

Hotspur seems particularly concerned with "honor" in this scene; what do you think the word "honor" means to him?

2.1

What are some of the things that we learn about the Elizabethan working classes in this scene?

2.2

How does this scene contribute to Falstaff's characterization, particularly his role as the "braggart soldier" in the play? In other words, what do we learn about Falstaff here?

2.3:

Although they seem argumentative and contentious on the surface, one might conclude from this scene that Hotspur and Kate really do care for each other; what are some of the hints in this scene that this is true?

2.4

What does the Prince’s playing Francis the drawer suggest about his character? What does the Prince mean when he says: "I am now of all humours that have showed themselves humours. . .?

What are some of the hints you can find, in both the script and the film, that the Prince is gradually distancing himself from Falstaff, in preparation for his own accession to the throne of England?

What does the Prince’s answer to Falstaff’s plea that he not be banished suggest about what might eventually happen to Falstff?

3.1

How are Hotspur and Glendower characterized at the opening of this scene? Why is Hotspur concerned about not getting as much land as the other conspirators?

How is the relationship between Hotspur and his wife in this scene depicted in the BBC film?

3.2

How does the BBC film depict the Prince’s response to Henry’s chiding of him?

What do we know that might suggest that the Prince had already decided to act as his father wishes?

What does the King admit, without realizing it, about his actions and motivations earlier during the reign of King Richard?

3.3

Judging by Falstaff's response at the very end of this scene ("Rare words, Brave world? Hostess, my breakfast, come!"), what attitude toward war and battle is he expressing?

4.1

What does this scene contribute to the development of Hotspur's character and perhaps to the contrast that Shakespeare seems to be developing between Hotspur and the prince?

4.2

How has Falstff "misused the King’s press damnably"?

5.1

Judging by Falstaff's speech about honor in this scene, what are the differing attitudes that Hotspur and Falstaff hold about honor, glory, and battle? With which one do you agree?

5.3

How does the Prince respond to Falstaff’s joking in this scene?

5.4