Samarkand state institute of foreign languages faculty of english filology and translation studies department of language and translation

The actuality of the course paper. This paper defines whаt is the Henry IV, Part 1 is one of Shakespeare’s history plays. It forms the second part of a tetralogy, or four-part series, that deals with the historical rise of the English royal House of Lancaster. 
The aim аnd objectives of the course work Students follow the events of Shakespeare's Richard II, where Henry Bolingbroke ascends the throne of England as King Henry IV. During his ascension, he was partially involved in the assassination of his cousin Richard II in prison. To compensate for Richard's death, Henry IV decides to start a crusade to Jerusalem and get information about how things will go.
The object of the course paper. The object of this work is Henry 4 and the events surrounding it.
The subject of the course paper is the Henry IV, Part 1 is one of Shakespeare’s history plays.
The main material of the course work. In this paper mainly Henry IV, Part 1 (often written as 1 Henry IV) is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597.
The content аnd structure of the work. The course work consists of Introduction, two Chаpters, Conclusion аnd List of used literаture. Introduction hаs informаtion аbout generаl outlook of the theme, reveаls the аim, duties, of the work. Eаch pаrаgrаph of the Mаin pаrt consists of chаpters’ (I, II) smаller pаrts аnd pаrаgrаphs аnd is dedicаted to definite problems. Conclusion combines the mаin аnd significаnt results of the investigаtion. The List of used literаture indicаtes the scientific works, аrticles used for writing the work.


CHAPTER I. About Henry IV by Shakespeare
1.1 Hotspur: A Perfect Image of Honor
The Henry IV characters with major roles all foil the main character, Prince Hal.
Hotspur is Prince Hal's rival for the throne, as he leads a rebellion, and for his father's affection. In contrast to the carefree Hal, Hotspur appears to be diligent in his duties and is eager to involve himself in politics, but he is too eager, hotheaded, and ultimately too like Henry IV himself. When Henry IV orders him to hand over a prisoner Hotspur, Hotspur instead demands that the king first ransom his brother-in-law. When Henry IV refuses, Hotspur decides to lead a rebellion, just as Henry IV once rebelled against Richard II.
Henry IV is a diligent king, but he fears his way of getting the throne (despite Richard II's failures as king) means that he has gone against God. Hal's rebellious behavior only increases his fears that God is judging him and will bring calamity upon his legacy and descendants. Henry IV thus does not want his son to be like him in tempting fate through sin. He also fears that his son, whom he loves, will end up like Richard: foolish and unable to rule. However, when Hal inherits the throne, he shows himself capable of the same strict and swift decisions as his father.
Sir John Falstaff is another father figure for Hal. He encourages Hal to become just like him in living a dissolute lifestyle. While comic relief, Falstaff also exerts serious influence over Hal's life. He does genuinely care about Hal to an extent, but thinks nothing of claiming Hal's killing of Hotspur for himself. Hal's cold disregard for Falstaff at the end fits how Falstaff ignored Hal's role as crown prince and encouraged him to disregard his father's will.
Minor characters of note include:

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  Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland: Hotspur's father. He rebels alongside his son.
  
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  Richard Scroop, Archbishop of York: one of Hotspur's rebel allies who realizes that Hotspur's army is doomed.
  
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  Bardolph, Poins, and Pistol: friends of Hal's and Falstaff's.
  
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  Mistress Quickly: a woman who runs the Boar's Head Tavern, where Hal often hangs out.
  
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  Doll Tearsheet: a prostitute who frequents the Boar's Head Tavern.
  

Henry Percy, also known as Hotspur, is closely connected to the concept of honor in Henry IV Part 1. The first instance of the word “honor” coming up in dialogue in this play is actually in reference to him. Speaking of Hotspur’s accomplishments and notable captures in battle, King Henry decries, “is not this an honourable spoil? A gallant prize?”. Hotspur demonstrates fearlessness and passion in battle. King Henry goes so far as to claim he envies Northumberland, Hotspur’s father, for producing “a son who is the theme of Hhonour’s tongue” [2.1.95-97]. This dialogue comes before the audience meets Hotspur, so the idea that he is basically the embodiment of honor serves as the first impression of him. Is Henry’s characterization of Hotspur accurate? There are two competing theories for how to answer this question.

One interpretation is that Hotspur is indeed a perfect mirror of honor. His rebellion against King Henry is the major plot point that would seem to call this assertion into question. But Shakespeare introduces aspects of the situation that serve to support Hotspur’s decision to rebel, perhaps even making it an honorable decision. One of the initial points of tension between Hotspur and King Henry comes when King Henry demands Hotspur’s prisoners of war. King Henry’s demand, according to A.R. Humphreys, is actually illegal. The law of arms entitles Hotspur to retain his prisoners, so it is actually King Henry who acts dishonorably in this moment. Hotspur’s eventual decision to rebel comes after his father and uncle explain to him that Mortimer, Hotspur’s cousin, is the rightful heir to Richard’s throne. Hotspur’s rebellion, then, is not purely dishonorable treason, but a genuine effort to restore the monarchy to its just line. Shakespeare gives Hotspur at least justification, and maybe even virtuous motives supporting his choices and actions.
Hotspur, as his name suggests, is hot-tempered, quick to become passionately angry, which, like his act of rebellion, does not necessarily detract from his standing as an honorable figure. This character trait, according to Norman Council, actually serves to encourage the interpretation of Hotspur as a perfect image of honor. Philosophical ideas stemming from Plato suggests that honor has its root in anger and desire, and so Hotspur’s angry outbursts continue to define him “as a man who perfectly embodies all the characteristics of the honourable man”. Hotspur, with all his courage and temper, is Shakespeare’s presentation of what honor is really all about.
A different idea is that Hotspur’s fate represents the consequence of being overly ambitious for honor. In Of Honour, a book published near the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, author Robert Ashley warns that ambition causes men to hunt after honor, which is a “base minded” activity. Apparently, there is a line between seeking honor in a positive way, and hunting for it, and Hotspur may function on the latter side. In the Book of the Courtier, Baldassare Constiglione emphasizes “enduring patience,” and “temperance,” as virtuous qualities to possess during times of war, qualities that Hotspur conspicuously lacks.
Hotspur’s decision to rebel is rooted in a desire for the honor of restoring the rightful king, but this desire seems to blind the pragmatic instinct necessary for success. When he is rallying his troops, preparing them for battle, Hotspur shouts – “Doomsday is near. Die All, die merrily” [2.1.88-92]. This speech places Hotspur in clear contrast with Hal, who, in a similar moment before the battle of Harfleur, urges his soldiers to look forward to the day in the future when they can point to their wounds and say they were at this battle years ago. According to this reading of the play, Hotspur, unlike Hal, seeks honor recklessly, and so fails to achieve it.