Henry IV
Act 5 Scene 2
Summary
Riding back to the rebel camp, Worcester tells Vernon that he’s not going
to deliver King Henry’s message honestly because he doesn’t believe
that King Henry would really pardon the rebels as he says he will.
Worcester thinks that, if they accept the king’s peace offering, King Henry
would forever after remain suspicious of the rebels as “interpretation will
misquote our looks.” Because Hotspur is just a hot-headed youth, his
father Northumberland and Worcester himself would end up paying for
his offenses, a risk Worcester doesn’t want to take. Vernon says he’ll go
along with whatever version of King Henry’s message Worcester delivers
to Hotspur.
Analysis
A crucial turning point in the play that intertwines the themes of language
and warfare. Worcester’s decision to change King Henry’s language and
misrepresent his message makes the Battle of Shrewsbury inevitable. Had
he been true to King Henry’s words, the violence might have been
avoided.
Summary
Hotspur and Douglas enter with officers and soldiers and Worcester tells
Hotspur that, despite his own attempts at peace-making, King
Henry mercilessly summons the rebels to immediate battle. Worcester
also recounts Prince Hal’s invitation to Hotspur to fight one-on-one and
describes Hal as a sweet, modest, self-deprecating young man in awe of
Hotspur’s praiseworthy honor. Hotspur accuses Worcester of being
wrongly enamored with Hal, who is not sweet at all but wild and foolish.
Analysis
Not only does Worcester misquote King Henry, he also uses his own
language to spin the truth about Prince Hal in a way he knows will be
particularly riling to Hotspur.
Summary
Hotspur calls his troops to arms, telling them to put themselves in the
mood for battle since he lacks “the gift of tongue” to “lift your blood up
with persuasion.” A messenger enters with letters for Hotspur but Hotspur
pushes them away, saying he’s in too much of a rush to waste time
reading. When another messenger enters to announce that King
Henry has charged, Hotspur says he’s glad to be interrupted since “I
profess not talking.” He draws his sword, excited to win glory or die an
honorable death. All exit.
Analysis
Hotspur has time for neither spoken nor written language and expects his
men to charge into battle spurred by the same bloodthirstiness that drives
him.
