Role of Falstaff in Henry IV, Part One Essay Example For Students

Role of Falstaff in Henry IV, Part One Essay Falstaffs Role in Henry IV, Part OneHenry IV, Part One, has always been one of the most popular of Shakespeares plays, maybe because of Falstaff. Much of the early criticism I found concentrated on Falstaff and so will I. This may begin in the eighteenth century with Samuel Johnson. For Johnson, the Prince is a young man of great abilities and violent passions, and Hotspur is a rugged soldier, but Falstaff, unimitated, unimitable Falstaff, how shall I describe thee? Thou compound of sense and vice . . . a character loaded with faults, and with faults which produce contempt . . . a thief, a glutton, a coward, and a boaster, always ready to cheat the weak and prey upon the poor; to terrify the timorous and insult the defenceless . . . his wit is not of the splendid or ambitious kind, but consists in easy escapes and sallies of levity yet he is stained with no enormous or sanguinary crimes, so that his licentiousness is not so offensive but that it may be borne for his mirth.Johnson mak es three assumptions in his reading of the play:1. That Falstaff is the kind of character who invites a moral judgment mainly that he can answer to the charge of being a coward. 2. That you (the reader) can detach Falstaffs frivolity from the play and it can exist for its own sake apart from the major theme of the drama. 3. That the play is really about the fate of the kingdom, and that you (the reader) do not connect Falstaffs scenes with the main action. This means that the play has no real unity. Starting with Johnsons first assumption, I do agree with this. Any discussion of Falstaff is bound to include a judgement about his moral character. Is he a coward, a thief, a glutton? No one can deny that he is in fact a glutton and a thief. A coward is debatable. I choose to think he is. He is self centered and cares only for his own profit and enjoyment. He will protect himself at all costs including playing possum if necessary to avoid injury. When he misuses the money intended to buy troops and weapons, he turns it into profit for himself. Once again, with no concern for anyone else, he potentially jeopardizes the troops, the battle and the kingdom with substandard men and materials while making money for himself. It makes the reader question, what kind of friend is he to Hal that he would misuse the trust that has been given him. All the easier for Hal to ultimately recognize that this is not the kind of person or people he wants to associate himself with, let alone approve of . Johnsons second assumption that you can detach Falstaffs frivolity from the real drama is in fact true, but what would you have left? A less interesting, less amusing drama with only one main plot. Falstaff is of paramount importance to the sub-plot dealing with Hals decision between continuing his carefree life style or maturing into the role he is destined to play as a respected prince and later king. This story would be pretty dull if Hal didnt have to choose between an entertaining life like Falstaffs or an honorable one as a gallant warrior and respected leader. Johnsons last assumption that the Falstaff scenes have nothing to do with the main action is incorrect if you agree that this sub-plot is necessary for an engaging drama. In Act 2, Scene 4, after Hal says, while role playing as the King with Falstaff, That villainous abominable misleader of youth, Falstaff, that old white-bearded Satan. Falstaff, as Hal, tries to reason, No, my good lord, banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins, but for sweet Jack Falstaff, kind Jack Falstaff, true Jack Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff, and therefore more valiant, being as he is old Jack Falstaff, banish not him thy Harrys company, banish him not thy Harrys company; banish plump Jack, and banish all the world. Hal, again as the King, says, I do, I will. He indicates that after becoming king he would choose to rid the kingdom of people the likes of Falstaff. He is indicating that he has chosen the path for his life and made his own moral judgement on Falstaff. This scene and therefore Falstaffs very being are significant to show Hals evolution into a true prince. .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .postImageUrl , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:hover , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:visited , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:active { border:0!important; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:active , .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5df06aa2e5b28c2d07db483d4205301b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Catcher In The Rye Essay SacrificeFalstaffs character is necessary to Hals character development just as Hotspurs temperament is necessary to his. Falstaffs wit, humor and amusing antics are needed to develop Hal. He helps us relate to Hal and his decision. We know people of all types of character and personality in our lives. They influence our thinking and decisions. So it is also necessary for Hal. Wether Falstaff is only a coward and glutton, or a person who has an amusing way of expressing his deeply felt personal and political beliefs is a matter of individual interpretation. I am not sure that it really matters as long as it contributes to Hals maturing process, and it does. In conclusion, every age of man has and will continue to judge Falstaffs role based on the morals and the thinking of the day. His frivolity is necessary to make the play amusing and interesting enough to hold the readers/viewers attention. However, that Falstaffs scenes are needed should go without question leaving the critics and us only to debate his motivation and his tactics. Category: English