Analysis Of Act V Scene Iv Of — страница 2

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scene. In a sense, Hal is forced to choose a side. There is such a dynamic social contrast that the “royalty” and “low life” seem all the more on the fringes. In addition, there is the added presense of a climate that fosters nobility and morality. The true nature of the individual characters are bound to show themselves. When put in this predicament, the prince?s gravitation toward maturity and acceptance of his place comes a forth and his father?s distinction from the other characters becomes clear. For the first time Hal recognizes that there is a rift between himself and Falstaff, and their last interaction can be interpreted as a slightly disdained farewell. Towards the end of the scene, there can be no doubt to the audience that the Prince will not turn kindly to

Falstaff and his gang again. Hal’s decision to speak in verse indicates that he has moved beyond the tavern-dwellers and found himself in a new caste. Shakespeare has put Hal through a rite of passage on the stage in order that the audience be more familiar with his character. Whether or not Hal in 1 Henry IV is to be seen in isolation of the second part of the history or as merely a major development within the two parts is still up for interpretation. The different type of speech exemplifies that Hal has moved on from needing Falstaff?s friendship as a reflection of his identity, and has accepted his place as the future King. The last thing that the Prince says to Falstaff is, ?Come, bring your luggage nobly on your back: For my part, if a lie may do thee grace, I?ll gild it

with the happiest terms I have.? For the Audience as well as Prince Hal, this declaration reinforces that Hal is acting in accordance with his title and his father’s wishes and that he has moved beyond feeling a bond with Falstaff. Earlier on in the play, he might have tried to expose Falstaff?s lie but this line shows that the prince accepts Falstaff as a liar and feels no need to challenge him or to deal with him on Falstaff’s level. Not only does he accept Falstaff as a liar, and thus expect no better of him, he is also aware that because of the difference in character and status between them, Falstaff needs the recognition for having killed Hotspur. For Hal, performing the deed was enough; he does not need the outward appearance of honour that comes with glory in battle.

For Hal to accept that Falstaff relies on lying to promote the outward appearance of a noble character is for him to accept that the friendship between them is over, that they no longer have anything in common and no longer need one another. With his father?s recognition and a feeling of self-assurance, Hal does not need Falstaff and this scene represents his realization that he has learned what he can from him. The farewell between Hal and Falstaff though unspoken and subtle is by no means hostile. Hal?s agreement to lie on Falstaff?s behalf is almost a token of gratitude toward him for the benefit he has gained from their friendship. The end of the relationship does not come out of unfriendly feelings for one another but rather from the fact that Hal has undergone a transition

that Falstaff will never undergo. Though the last we see of Falstaff in the first part of King Henry IV is a series of empty promises to make what he interprets to be the same transition that Hal has made. The change that takes place within Henry, Prince of Wales is exemplified through his language and his actions. This change is finalised in the second to last scene, leaving only one brief interaction with his Father, the King, between his break away from his previous lifestyle and the end of the play. Hal?s acceptance of his role within his family as well as kingdom is indicative of finding the reality of honour within himself. The fact that this epiphany comes so near the end of the play brings Hal?s journey to an end, giving the play a sense of closure and resolve. Hal?s

decision also serves to give his character psychological depth, and thus further differentiate him from the tavern characters. Hal?s discovery of princely honour functions to fulfil the concept of honour as an inherent trait of nobility and thus makes his separation from Falstaff an inevitability.