Criteria- Responds skillfully to the task provided displaying a highly developed understanding of the prescribed text Demonstrates a well-informed understanding of context, language, form and ideas using well-selected and detailed analysis of textual references Composes a thoughtful argument using language appropriate to audience, purpose and form
Question- How has your study of King Henry IV Part 1 altered and expanded your understanding of dishonor. In your response make a detailed reference to the prescribed text.
Essay-
Honour and dishonour are often seen as opposites to each other, never having any similarities to each other. Yet in William Shakespeare's King Henry IV Part 1 (1598) it expands upon dishonour and gives it nuance and life through how it aligns it with honour. Shown through the characters and their actions and the play's focus on humourism.
The characters and their actions throughout the play help to redefine and change what is dishonour. Hal and Hotspur's comparison early in the play leads to the generic idea of an individual with honour. Whereas in contrast with the individual with dishonour however, the comparison between Hotspur and Hal on their honour is false. In Act 1 Scene 2, Hal's soliloquy reveals his true nature and his level of honour which differs from what many individuals say about for example in Act 1 Scene 1 King Henry's metaphorical remark "Whilst I by looking on the praise of him see riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry". Which displays that while an individual may be dishonourable there's more subtle and intricacy around it. Furthermore later on in Act 1 Scene 3 despite Hotspur being honourable he has dishonourable traits. Hence, within the Act its made evident by his father's metaphorical remark "What a wasp-stung and impatient fool". As, a result, reveals that dishonour can still stain individuals despite how honourable they may be. Therefore through how dishonour and honour is explore through Hal and Hotspur's actions. It reveals how dishonour can still affect individuals despite their honour and how it cannot be perceived from an individual.
Humourism is a philosophical concept that was present in Shakespeare's time which is emphasised within the play through the characters. Humourism states that an individual consists of 4 liquids: blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile. Furthermore, maintaining balance between these 4 liquids leads to healthiness. However, neglecting the balance and allowing excess of a liquid leads to a change in an individual's personality. Hence, an excess of yellow bile leads to choleric, excess of phlegm leads to phlegmatic and an excess of black bile leads to melancholy. Humourism is used in the play to quickly characterise the characters and foreshadow their true nature. For example in Act 1 Scene 3 Northumberland chastises Hotspur "What? Drunk with choler?". Display quote established the more dishonourable traits of Hotspur, being his irritability. Whereas in contrast humourism, specifically excess of blood is used to foreshadow Hal's honourable trait, being open to others. As a result despite Hal being dishonourable there is honour to him. Furthermore from this humorous contrast of Hal and Hotspur showcases how dishonour is expanded on. Being that dishonour is never perceived but always an internal trait. Therefore through how humourism is applied through the characters to provide nuance and depth to dishonour. Being how dishonour is rarely physical but within.
In conclusion, the play has expanded upon dishonour and has nuance. This being achieved through its emphasise on humourism and how each character's action reveals their dishonour.
Question- How has your study of King Henry IV Part 1 altered and expanded your understanding of dishonor. In your response make a detailed reference to the prescribed text.
Essay-
Honour and dishonour are often seen as opposites to each other, never having any similarities to each other. Yet in William Shakespeare's King Henry IV Part 1 (1598) it expands upon dishonour and gives it nuance and life through how it aligns it with honour. Shown through the characters and their actions and the play's focus on humourism.
The characters and their actions throughout the play help to redefine and change what is dishonour. Hal and Hotspur's comparison early in the play leads to the generic idea of an individual with honour. Whereas in contrast with the individual with dishonour however, the comparison between Hotspur and Hal on their honour is false. In Act 1 Scene 2, Hal's soliloquy reveals his true nature and his level of honour which differs from what many individuals say about for example in Act 1 Scene 1 King Henry's metaphorical remark "Whilst I by looking on the praise of him see riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry". Which displays that while an individual may be dishonourable there's more subtle and intricacy around it. Furthermore later on in Act 1 Scene 3 despite Hotspur being honourable he has dishonourable traits. Hence, within the Act its made evident by his father's metaphorical remark "What a wasp-stung and impatient fool". As, a result, reveals that dishonour can still stain individuals despite how honourable they may be. Therefore through how dishonour and honour is explore through Hal and Hotspur's actions. It reveals how dishonour can still affect individuals despite their honour and how it cannot be perceived from an individual.
Humourism is a philosophical concept that was present in Shakespeare's time which is emphasised within the play through the characters. Humourism states that an individual consists of 4 liquids: blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile. Furthermore, maintaining balance between these 4 liquids leads to healthiness. However, neglecting the balance and allowing excess of a liquid leads to a change in an individual's personality. Hence, an excess of yellow bile leads to choleric, excess of phlegm leads to phlegmatic and an excess of black bile leads to melancholy. Humourism is used in the play to quickly characterise the characters and foreshadow their true nature. For example in Act 1 Scene 3 Northumberland chastises Hotspur "What? Drunk with choler?". Display quote established the more dishonourable traits of Hotspur, being his irritability. Whereas in contrast humourism, specifically excess of blood is used to foreshadow Hal's honourable trait, being open to others. As a result despite Hal being dishonourable there is honour to him. Furthermore from this humorous contrast of Hal and Hotspur showcases how dishonour is expanded on. Being that dishonour is never perceived but always an internal trait. Therefore through how humourism is applied through the characters to provide nuance and depth to dishonour. Being how dishonour is rarely physical but within.
In conclusion, the play has expanded upon dishonour and has nuance. This being achieved through its emphasise on humourism and how each character's action reveals their dishonour.