[Crossposted.]

Henry IV is a play (in two parts) by William Shakespeare, of which I’ve read the first part.

Plot:
King Henry IV has troubles with the Scottish, which keep him from going on a crusade to redeem himself from acquiring his throne forcefully. Additionally, a rebellion is stirring, led by the Percy family and Edmund Mortimer, named rightful successor by Richard II.
At the same time, King Henry’s son Henry (or Hal) also troubles his father by being generally subversive. Hal hangs out with a ragtag group of people, most notably John Falstaff, who is a kind of father figure for him.

I don’t think that I have to point out that Shakespeare is really good. But let me say that I really liked Henry IV. It was a rather quick read (as plays usually are), beautifully written, full of vivid characters and some of the greatest insults ever.

First, the insults, to share the glory: “whoreson caterpillar” and “mad-headed ape” are going to be in my day-to-day vocabulary from now on (New Year’s Resolution!).

I have to say that, only considering the characters, I’m in favour of the rebels. I much prefer the hotheaded, impulsive, but honest Harry Percy (or Hotspur) to the cold, manipulative Hal.

Just look at this passage, spoken by Hal:

I know you all, and will awhile uphold
The unyok’d humour of your idleness.
Yet herein will I imitate the sun,
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother up his beauty from the world,
That, when he please again to lie himself,
Being wanted, he may be more wond’red at
By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
Of vapours that did seem to strangle him.
If all the year were playing holidays,
To sport would be as tedious as to work;
But when they seldom come, they wish’d-for come,
And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.
So, when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promised,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And, like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
I’ll so offend to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will.

He’s basically saying that he behaves badly, so that when he behaves okay, people will be all grateful and speak of his wonderful change and stuff. In my book, that makes him an asshole.

Falstaff on the other hand… he inspired more of my pity than I saw his alleged charisma. The way he seems to thirst for Hal’s approval while Hal seems to make fun of him at all times… that’s not a very charismatic thing to do.

I really liked King Henry IV, though, but most of all, Edward Mortimer. Such a romantic hero! Look at this (he’s married to a Welsh woman he doesn’t even understand):

Mortimer:

I understand thy looks. That pretty Welsh
Which thou pourest down from these swelling heavens
I am too perfect in; and, but for shame,
In such a Barley should I answer thee.
The Lady again in Welsh.
I understand thy kisses, and thou mine,
And that’s a feeling disputation.
But I will never be a truant, love,
Till I have learnt thy language: for thy tongue
Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penn’d,
Sung by a fair queen in a summer’s bow’r,
With ravishing division, to her lute.

Glendower:

Nay, if you melt, then will she run mad.

*le sigh*

Well, to read the play takes away a lot of the enjoyment, I have to admit. I mean, an epic fight scene is so much better when there’s an actual fight and not just:

[They fight. Douglas kills Blunt.]

On the other hand, reading it, you really get to savour the language. And that’s completely worth it.

[PS: I really need to rewatch My Own Private Idaho.]