Daniel Henry

Year 12 - Ricci
Hotspur has boundless courage and
energy but he lacks the political acumen
to be a serious threat to the throne.

To what extent does this reflect your
understanding of the play?

In William Shakespeares trans-historical play King Henry IV Part 1 a rebellion is rife, and the heir to
the throne Prince Hal is seemingly off gallivanting with the commoners at the tavern. To the
effect of the king exclaiming that he would rather Hotspur a rebel to be his son. But Hotspur
could never be a real threat to the throne as he lacks the political acumen required to rule.
Hotspur is the quintessential manly man, who hates all things effeminate. Hotspurs ideas about
masculinity are deeply linked to his ideas about honour. Honour, is achieved on the battlefield in
Henry IV Part 1; and the field of war, Hotspur insists, is no place for effeminacy. So, when a "certain
lord" arrives on the battlefield at Holmedon to collect the king's prisoners, Hotspur is livid because
he is as "fresh as a bridegroom," "perfumed like a milliner," and talks like a "gentlewoman". Hotspur
also prefers the erotics of battle to sex with his wife. When Lady Percy demands to know why
Hotspur has kicked her out of his bed, he replies that he's got no "time to tilt with lips" and calls for
"bloody noses" and "crack'd crowns" instead.
As Henry IV Part 1 progresses, we see more and more of Hotspur's short-comings. In fact, the very
things that seem to make him honourable are the things that render him unfit to lead a country and,
ultimately, bring about his downfall. His own father frequently notes "Why, what a wasp-stung and
impatient fool art thou". Hotspur is rash, impetuous, incapable of strategy, and tends to alienate his
colleagues. When Hotspur learns that his father and Glendower won't be joining the rebel forces at
Shrewsbury, he forges ahead anyway because he thinks winning an impossible victory will lend
"lustre and more great opinion" to the rebels' enterprise. Hotspur may be more honest and
straightforward than Prince Hal, who schemes and plots his way through the play, but Henry IV Part
1 makes clear that strategy, command of language, and patience are all necessary components of
kingship.
Hal, who is otherwise known as Prince Henry of Wales and the future King of England, is very
different from his counterpart, Hotspur. Hal enjoys a good time, and expends his energies plotting
pranks with an unsavoury element at the pubs. Although he is being groomed to one day be King,
Hal avoids his responsibilities in the royal court. Hotspur, whose real name is Henry Percy, on the
other hand, is an inarguably honourable character who stands in stark contrast to the more
lackadaisical Hal. The son of the Earl of Northumberland, Hotspur is valiant in battle and actively
seeks recognition for his military prowess. He is charismatic, brave, and loyal, exhibiting a sense of
purpose and seriousness that Hal appears to be sorely lacking. It is a tribute to Hal's perceptiveness
Daniel Henry
Year 12 - Ricci
that he recognizes the strength of character possessed by his rival. He says of Hotspur, "I do not
think a braver gentleman, More active-violent or more valiant-young, more daring or more bold, is
now alive to grace this latter age with noble deeds" Hal also astutely recognizes Hotspur's tragic flaw
- although Hotspur is complex and unfailingly noble, he, unlike Hal, does not have the ability to live
in the real world of his times, a world which Hal describes as "the vilest earth"
Hotspur is not considered to have been a serious threat to the throne; he lacked the skills required
to be king, Unlike Hal he was not a people person. He was brave, courageous, and honourable; all
qualities of a leader except, they arent the only qualities. You need to be strategic Know your
opponents move before he makes it, you need patience to deal with your populous, and most
importantly you need to be able to communicate. Where Hotspur falls short Hal races ahead, his
visits to the tavern were more than just a social outing, they were a chance to socialize with the
common folk, to learn what made his future populous tick; and to elevate himself into a higher light
when he redeemed himself to his father.