Prince Hal in Shakespeares Henriad Essay -- William Shakespeare Henri

Prince Hal in Shakespeares HenriadThe question that Shakespeare raises throughout the series of enthalpy IV, Part I, enthalpy IV, Part II, and Henry V is that of whether Prince Hal (eventually King Henry V), is a neat manifestation of an ideal ruler, and whether he is a rightful heir to his fathers ill-begotten throne. England is without a true king, being run by a ruler without the right of divine providence on his side altogether, a very difficult situation for a young, inexperienced, and slightly delinquent Prince to take on. The task of proving himself a reliable Prince and a concerned ruler is of utmost importance to Hal, as he does not jollify the mantle of divine right perhaps by being an excellent ruler, Hal can make up for the usurpation of Richard IIs crown. Even though he is unable to change his ancestry, he may be able to gain Gods support by ruling justly, piously, and effectively. Robert Fallon defines this stage of Englands history as an era when monarchs were expect ed to share with their soldiers the dangers of the battlefield, where strength of character was equated with strength of arm and a kings ability to rule was mensural by his ability to data track his armies in conquest, and this is the mindset that Hal must deal with, moving from an irresponsible tavern dweller to a responsible ruler, fit to lead England with Gods support, if not his permission (Fallon, 111).The association of Prince Hal with dubious, tavern-dwelling creatures like Falstaff is a main point of contention between his supporters and detractors. Because the audience first meets the Prince in Henry IV, Part I, while he is carousing in the tavern with Falstaff, it is necessary for Shakespeare to indicate that Hal is not as enchanted with... ...stability and domestic tranquility.Works CitedFallon, Robert Thomas. Henry V This Star of England. A Theatrer-Goers Guide to Shakespeares Characters. Chicago, Illinois Ivan R. Dee, 2004. 106-122.Ornstein, Robert. A Kingdom for a Stage The Achievement of Shakespeares History Plays. Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvard University Press, 1972.Roe, John. Henry V The Prince and Cruelty. Studies in Renaissance Literature Shakespeare and Machiavelli. Cambridge D.S. Brewer, 2002. 63-93.Shakespeare, William. Ed. David Scott Kastan. Henry IV, Part I. London The Arden Shakespeare, 2002.Shakespeare, William. Ed. A.R. Humphreys. King Henry IV, Part II. London Methuen & Co., Ltd., and The Arden Shakespeare, 1981.Shakespeare, William. Ed. J.H. Walter. King Henry V. London Metheun & Co., Ltd., and The Arden Shakespeare, 1954.