Henry IV
Act 2 Scene 4
Summary
Prince Hal and Poins meet in a room in the Boarshead Tavern in Eastcheap. Poins
asks where Hal has been and the prince merrily explains that he’s been having a good
time drinking with some commoners who he’s gotten to know on a first-name basis
and befriended. They think him “no proud Jack, like Falstaff….but a lad of mettle.”
Prince Hal boasts that he’s such a good, perceptive observer of character that he can
“drink with any tinker in his own language” within fifteen minutes of meeting him. He
tells Poins that Poins has “lost much honor” in missing out on the experience he just
had.
Analysis
King Henry would surely think it was dishonorable for his son the prince to be
associating with common men at the tavern. But Prince Hal sees his behavior as a
demonstration of power and a point of honor: he is such a skilled speaker that he can
use language to relate to every kind of person, regardless of social position. Indeed,
King Henry would be incapable of such adaptability and verbal skill.
Summary
Prince Hal sends Poins to the next room so they can play a trick on the slow-witted
tavern boy, Francis, by demanding his presence in both rooms and confusing him to
the point that he answers every question Hal asks with “Anon” (when he really only
means to say ‘anon’ as an assurance that he’ll soon go to the other room from which
Poins is calling for him).
Analysis
Mere moments after bragging about his honorable use of language, Hal uses his
verbal dexterity for far less honorable ends. Here he makes fun of poor Francis, who is
no match for Prince Hal’s eloquence and wit.
Summary
Vintner enters and announces that Falstaff and others are at the door. Prince
Hal and Poins are giddy in anticipation. Falstaff, Gadshill, Bardolph, and Peto enter
with Francis, pouring more wine. Falstaff blusters on about Prince Hal and Poins
being cowards for not watching out for their friends—instead of “backing” them, they
have shown their “backs” by running away. Prince Hal feigns ignorance and urges
Falstaff to elaborate.
Analysis
Falstaff accuses Poins and Prince Hal of dishonorable cowardice, but he has yet to
realize just how dishonorable they have actually been. Falstaff’s language continues
to be rich in wordplay, punning cleverly on the word “back.”
Summary
Falstaff describes being ambushed by thieves and robbed of the loot they’d stolen
from the travelers that morning. As Falstaff recounts the tale, he keeps embellishing
it, multiplying the number of ambushing thieves from two all the way up to eleven. He
recounts how he fought them long and bravely on his own. Prince Hal and Poins let
him go on for a long time before Hal interrupts and explains that it was all part of his
and Poins’ trick.
Analysis
As predicted, Falstaff affects an appearance of honor courage (when he has actually
behaved cowardly) and cannot resist exaggerating that appearance with increasingly
expansive language.
Summary
Prince Hal gleefully declares Falstaff a shameful coward, but Falstaff immediately
retorts that the truth of the story only further proves his bravery. He is, he insists, “as
valiant as Hercules,” but his instinct guided him not to harm “the true prince.”
Analysis
Prince Hal exposes Falstaff’s dishonorable cowardice, but Falstaff still manages to
have the last word. His quick thinking and well-worded argument rescues his pride.
Summary
Hostess Quickly enters and tells Prince Hal that a nobleman sent by King
Henry has arrived to speak with him. Falstaff volunteers to get rid of the man and
exits.
Analysis
By sending his drunken friend off to speak with the royal messenger, Hal shows just
how little respect he has for the king.
Summary
Prince Hal gets Bardolph and Peto to detail the elaborate fakery Falstaff
coordinated to make them all look as if they bravely fought thieves: they’ve hacked
up their swords, given themselves nosebleeds, and sullied their clothes. When Hal
asks what excuse they have for such cowardice, Bardolph points to the
portentous meteors which, he says, foreshadow angry times.
Analysis
Hal is amused to hear about the elaborate lengths Falstaff has gone to in order to put
on an appearance of courage. Bardolph’s belief in the prophetic power of meteors
introduces the symbol of celestial signs.
Summary
Falstaff reenters and tells Prince Hal that King Henry has requested his presence
at court next morning because a plot by Hotspur, Glendower, Mortimer,
Northumberland, and Douglas is afoot. Worcester has run off and King Henry is
terrified. Falstaff thinks Hal must be afraid too, but Hal insists he isn’t.
Analysis
Prince Hal may not have pursued honor on the battlefield the way Hotspur has, but his
cool reaction to his father’s news suggests he would be just as brave a warrior.
Summary
Falstaff suggests they practice Prince Hal’s impending meeting with King Henry.
Falstaff pretends to be the king, taking a chair for a throne, a dagger for scepter, and
a cushion for his crown. He delivers a long prose speech as King Henry, chastising Hal
for wasting his youth and defiling himself with disgraceful company, of which Falstaff
is the only “virtuous” exception.
Analysis
Act II’s second virtuosic play on appearances. Falstaff’s props make him seem a
ridiculous King Henry. Yet this scene’s poignancy derives from the truth that Falstaff is
much closer to Prince Hal at this point than the prince is to his biological father.
Falstaff can’t resist according himself honor.
Summary
Prince Hal demands they change places on the grounds that Falstaff doesn’t sound
like King Henry. Playing the king, the prince sternly berates Falstaff. Playing Prince
Hal, Falstaff defends Falstaff, trying to turn Hal’s insults into compliments.
Analysis
Prince Hal is right: Falstaff’s speech as the king was spoken in prose, rather than in
the royal verse King Henry actually speaks in.
Summary
Vintner enters with the news that the Sheriff is at the door demanding to search the
tavern. Prince Hal sends everyone into hiding. The Sheriff comes in looking for Falstaff
in association with the theft of the 300 gold marks that morning. Prince Hal explains
that he’s just sent Falstaff off on an errand but, acting cooperative, says that he’ll turn
him over to the Sheriff the next day. The Sheriff is cordial and defers to Prince Hal
without suspicion.
Analysis
Prince Hal is, as he’s boasted, able to adapt his language to suit his situation. Talking
with the sheriff, he sounds perfectly mature and responsible. The sheriff’s trust proves
that Hal’s speech is convincing.
Summary
As son as the Sheriff leaves, Prince Hal calls out for his friends. Falstaff has fallen
asleep in his hiding place and snores loudly. Hal and Peto go through Falstaff’s
pockets and find numerous receipts for food and (mostly) wine. Hal tells Peto that
they’ll have to go to war soon but that he’ll make sure to secure his friends good
positions in the army.
Analysis
Prince Hal seems to feel warfare is just another frolicsome adventure, and plans to
take his friends along for the ride without worrying about whether or not they’ll be
assets to the army.
