Henry IV analysis - Shakespeare
...how throughout 1 Henry IV is the different ideas that King Henry and his son, Hal, have about power and how it should be shown or used. In Act 3, scene 2 of the play, the King gives a speech to Hal about how Hal isn’t acting responsible enough to someday be a King, and that if he continues to live his life the way in which he is doing so now, he will be overthrown. King Henry believes that Harry is becoming too much of a common person and that the companions that he associates with are bringing down his credibility for when he becomes king, but saying, “And in that very line, Harry, standest thou; for thou hast lost thy princely privilege with vile participation. Not an eye but is a-weary of thy common sight”. (3.2.85-88) Hal on the other hand believes that he will be a fit ruler and that he only lowers his class and credibility now so that when he becomes king people won’t expect much from him. This way, when he becomes a great ruler, it will be even that much more glorified for him. In Act 1, scene 2, Hal gives a speech about how he acts the way he does on purpose so that when he becomes a ruler one day, he’ll be even that much more desired because people will not expect him to live up to much. He states, “By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes; and like bright metal on a sullen ground, my reformation, glittering over my fault, shall show more goodly and attract more eyes”. (1.2.189-192) Hal is saying here that he will falsify people’s ideas about him so that they will...