The Character of Falstaff in Shakespeares Henry IV, Part I Essay

The Character of Falstaff in atomic number 1 IV, actuate I Shakespeares thaumaturgist in instance and plot development is exemplified in two of his most(prenominal) complex history plays, Richard II and total heat IV, crack up I. With these sequential plays, Shakespeare vividly develops characters and sets up complicated plots by juxtapositioning people with others. Specifically, he first creates a binary opposition between Richard and Bolingbrook in Richard II, and then, recalls the plot and carries out an to the highest degree mirror image character contrast with Hal and Hotspur in Henry IV, Part I. However, in typical Shakespeare fashion, the seemingly mirror-image binaries of Richard/Bolingbrook and Hal/Hotspur break down with Shakespeares character complexity. A major reason why these character analogues do not dead hold up is because of the marvelous character of Falstaff. Absent from Richard II, Falstaff is introduced in Henry IV to create intricacy and ambiguity regarding likenesses among these characters. Falstaff significantly complicates the Hotspur-is-to-Bolingbrook-as-Hal-is-to-Richard II presumption because Falstaff has so much in common with the King. Therefore, as opposed to Hotspurs fit the Bolingbrook persona, it is the drunken and disorderly Falstaff who becomes the character most parallel to the King. However, the King associates himself with Hotspur, who, as his name suggests, is a relentless warrior. The King puts forth a perceive that Hotspur will act as Bolingbrook did in Richard II, by challenging the Princes right(a) to the throne he feels that Bolingbrooks rivalry with Richard is reflected in Hotspurs position as Hals challenger. In the first scene of Henry IV, Part I, King Henry at once ... ...tspur seems unfitting. Adding complexity to characterization through his comical action, Falstaff is a crucial character in Henry IV, Part I, and it is through the character of Falstaff that we see th e parallel between Hotspur and Bolingbrook breaks down. Works Cited and Consulted Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. H.C. Robinsons Memoranda Henry IV, Signet Classic, pp. 236-237. Goldman, Michael. Shakespeare and the Energies of Drama Henry IV, Signet Classic, pp. 260-261. Johnson, Samuel. The Plays of William Shakespeare Henry IV, Signet Classic, pp.234- 235. Kahn, Coppelia. Mans Estate Masculine Identity in Shakespeare Henry IV, Signet Classic, pp.262-266. Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part I, ed. M.A. Shaaber, Penguin Books (NY 1985). Wilson, John Dover. The Fortunes of Falstaff Henry IV, Signet Classic, pp.238-243.