Henry IV
Act 3 Scene 2
Summary
King Henry and Prince Hal enter a room in the palace in London accompanied by
lords. King Henry dismisses the lords so he and his son can speak privately. King
Henry says he wonders whether Prince Hal is God’s way of cursing him by giving him
a son whose “barren pleasures” and “rude society” are an affront to “the greatness of
thy blood.” Prince Hal apologizes and seeks pardon, promising to “purge” himself of
his youthful ways.
Analysis
For King Henry, honor is strictly defined by birth and maintained by conventional
behavior: Hal was born a prince and thus King Henry expects him to behave in a
stereotypically princely way and spurn all lower-born company.
Summary
King Henry launches into a long speech detailing all of Prince Hal’s shortcomings:
he has lost his Council seat to his younger brother (Prince John), he has alienated
the nobles and royalty of the court, he has failed to live up to the expectations for
him, and has convinced everyone around him that he will only continue to debase
himself.
Analysis
King Henry continues to point out how dishonorable Hal seems in his eyes. Indeed,
Prince Hal has contradicted every conventional expectation for a prince.
Summary
King Henry’s speech continues, comparing Prince Hal to his own young self. If he
had been as “common-hackney’d in the eyes of men, so stale and cheap to vulgar
company” as Prince Hal, King Henry explains, he would never have risen to the
throne, for his ascent depended at first on people’s wonder and awe at him and
admiration for his humility in comparison to the foolish, lavish, petty King Richard,
who vainly curried public opinion and didn’t cultivate the grave, mysterious persona
Henry did. Prince Hal, King Henry worries, is like Richard, for Hal has “lost…princely
privilege with vile participation.”
Analysis
King Henry’s explanation of his own youthful behavior reveals an understanding of
power that is very different from Hal’s: for King Henry, kingly power comes from
building a mysterious persona, limiting one’s public appearances, and steering clear
of associations with “vulgar” common people.
Summary
Prince Hal promises to “be more myself.” King Henry continues his long speech,
comparing Prince Hal to King Richard and Hotspur to himself. He declares Hotspur a
worthier heir to the throne than Hal and lists Hotspur’s many honorable victories on
the battlefield. King Henry starts telling Hal about Hotspur and his allies’ plot to take
the throne, then checks himself, asking himself why he would tell such news to Hal,
his “near’st and dearest enemy,” since Hal would probably take Hotspur’s side against
him.
Analysis
When Hal says he’ll be “more myself,” he means that he’ll try to appear more like his
father wants him to appear, more like the true essence of princeliness his father
believes he should naturally display as the son of a king. For King Henry, Hotspur
appears far more honorable and royal than Hal does. The king appreciates Hotspur’s
pursuit of honor on the battlefield and wishes his own son would follow suit.
Summary
Prince Hal denies this and launches into his own long speech asking forgiveness for
past behavior and vowing to redeem himself by defeating Hotspur, and affirming he
is King Henry’s son by achieving glory. Hal says he “will wear a garment all
of blood” and “a bloody mask, which, wash’d away, shall scour my shame with it.” He
will, he swears to God, personally defeat Hotspur and make him “exchange his
glorious deeds for my indignities.” All Hotspur’s honors, Hal promises, will pass to Hal.
King Henry professes his faith in Hal’s plan and gives his son his blessing.
Analysis
Hal promises to redeem his nobility and live up to his royal position by winning honor
on a (very bloody) battlefield. The prince is, as usual, a canny speaker—he knows just
what his father wants to hear and has said it. For his part, King Henry seems satisfied
by Hal’s language alone and believes that his son’s actions will carry out his promises.
Summary
Sir Walter Blunt enters and tells them Mortimer has just sent word
that Douglas and the English rebels have met and joined forces. King
Henry immediately starts planning a schedule for assembling their counter
defense. Westmoreland and Prince John will march forth first, followed by Prince
Hal, followed by the king himself.
Analysis
Unlike Hotspur, who seems ever bloodthirsty and eager to rage into fighting without a
second’s thought, King Henry shows himself to be a more strategic, considerate
warrior.
