Henry IV (Part 1), Act 3
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:59 pm
Henry IV (Part 1), Act 3
Please use this thread to discuss Henry IV (Part 1), Act 3.
Please use this thread to discuss Henry IV (Part 1), Act 3.
I previously quoted that passage from Richard II where the King laments his son's behavior. But I agree, we don't get much of a sense of the length of time in which Hal is behaving badly. It's mostly just alluded to.Taylor wrote:. . . . I'm not certain we ever do find out all of Hals degeneracy. We just assume there is to much.
Even then they seem to be trying to gain advantage over each other as to the more prime pieces of country they mean to take.Geo wrote:
I liked the Scene 1 where Hotspur and his kin are dividing up England for themselves after they conquer the King's forces. Just a bit of hubris here?
Yes, it seems that Hostspur's clan are in it for themselves, not so much trying to do what's right. There are a couple of instances where Hotspur is too invested in his on anger that he fails to see the big picture. For example, he criticizes the King for his political machinations without seeing the manipulations by the Percys—the Earl of Northumberland and Earl of Worcester. They're goading him into taking action while maneuvering themselves out of harm's way.Taylor wrote:Even then they seem to be trying to gain advantage over each other as to the more prime pieces of country they mean to take.Geo wrote:
I liked the Scene 1 where Hotspur and his kin are dividing up England for themselves after they conquer the King's forces. Just a bit of hubris here?
I get the sense that even if they are victorious, its likely before long they would be at each others throats.
It begs the question Do we venture to read Richard II, for additional background?Geo wrote:
Perhaps these grander themes become more apparent when you read the other plays in the Henriad—seeing the four plays as a part of a larger whole.
I'm thinking about reading Richard II next, but only because I'd like to read it before watching the first part of The Hollow Crown. I've already read Bevington's intro, which I can scan in if anyone else wants to read it.Taylor wrote:It begs the question Do we venture to read Richard II, for additional background?Geo wrote:
Perhaps these grander themes become more apparent when you read the other plays in the Henriad—seeing the four plays as a part of a larger whole.
I spent the evening reading through part 2, which begins with the fallout from the rebels failure at Shrewsbury. I think that to go forward it might be necessary to go back. (to Richard 2) I'm trying not to bring other plays into this discussion, but with these particular ones its almost unavoidable.
I would appreciate it indeed. Since this thread, for me it has been re-reading parts of Richard 2 and Henry 4 parts 1&2, just to try and put the whole story in perspective. for me its been like a minor study of sorts.Geo wrote:
I've already read Bevington's intro, which I can scan in if anyone else wants to read it.