Henry IV

In Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part One honour is seen throughout the entire play. It is seen in Prince Henry, nicknamed Hal. In his soliloquy he tells the readers that he will change his ignoble ways to be more like a true Prince. Honour can also be seen in Hotspur; he is willing to do anything for it even at the cost of his own life. Falstaff views honour as just another word and those …

…define a man. To many, honour is just another word. But to some, like Hotspur and Hal, honour is something more. To Hotspur, without honour to strive and live for life would just be a waste of time and to Hal, honour is used as a means of attaining his father’s love and approval. To Falstaff it’s nothing more than a waste of time, a waste of life and nothing but a word.