The Relationship Between Prince Harry/Hal and His Father King Henry in Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part I”
Number of pages:
6
ABSTRACT:
This is a 6 page paper discussing the father and son relationship between King Henry IV and Prince Harry/Hal in Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part I”. The father and son relationship between King Henry IV and Prince Harry/Hal in Shakespeare’s “Henry IV, Part I” is one of the central themes of the play and some would argue the most important and lasting theme of the play. King Henry and Harry’s estrangement at the beginning of the play only gives their eventual union and successful triumph together over the revolt to Henry’s throne more poignancy and impact to the historical account. Largely, critics have felt that much of the original misunderstanding of the relationship was on the behalf of the King himself who trusted appearances above action only to be disillusioned by those around him. Audiences and readers of the play are aware of the other influence in Prince Harry’s life, Falstaff, but Harry quickly establishes that he will reform his ways and return to his father and his duties. The personal aspect of the father and son relationship provides for many additional elements within a historical text and it is their personal relationship countered by other relationships within the play which gives the play its real strength and lasting impression.
Bibliography lists 6 sources.
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File: D0_TJHenIV1.rtf
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