MOD B 1 HENRY IV MULTI-MODAL ESSAY SCRIPT

ESSAY QUESTION: Evaluate this statement In light of your personal reading of the play.
4) In light of your study of 1 Henry IV, construct your own thesis question in order to explore an original interpretation of the play.

THESIS QUESTION: In what ways does Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1 subvert the traditional ideals of kingship and challenge the
legitimacy of political authority, offering an alternative perspective that disrupts the dominant reading of the play as a glorification of
monarchy and instead highlights the inherent flaws and contradictions within the system of governance?

INTRODUCTION
Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1, written in late 1596, presents a complex exploration of kingship and political authority. An original
interpretation of the play may explore how Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1 instead subverts the traditional ideals of kingship and
challenges the legitimacy of political authority, offering an alternative perspective that disrupts the dominant reading of the play as a
glorification of monarchy and instead highlights the inherent flaws and contradictions within the system of governance. The play may
be viewed as a reflection of the rising civil unrest that existed in Shakespeare’s Elizabethan context, as questions regarding succession
of the throne grew paramount near the end of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. Shakespeare’s characterisation of particular personalities in
the play as rebellious to the social normalities of his Elizabethan context signifies his respective outlook and reveals the notions of
instability inherent in the monarchy. Thus Shakespeare’s 1 Henry IV may be interpreted as a decimation to the traditional idealisation
of kingship and political authority exploring the fragility immanent in monarchical rule.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Shakespeare subverts traditional ideals of kingship through his portrayal of King Henry IV as a troubled and insecure ruler. In the
opening lines of the play, King Henry expresses his weariness and the burden of his responsibilities, "So shaken as we are, so wan
with care." The use of metafiction in media res establishes the theme of order and disorder and presents a king who is uncertain in his
leadership. This subversion challenges the traditional notions of a virtuous and authoritative leader, highlighting the complexities and
vulnerabilities of those in power. Additionally, the play challenges the ideal of honour associated with kingship. King Henry's
aggressive pursuit of honour, "See riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry," reveals a lack of regard for human life. This
characterisation subverts the traditional expectation of a king as a noble and honourable figure, exposing the flaws and contradictions
within the system of governance. In contrast, Hotspur who is portrayed as a valorous and brave knight, exhibits uncertainty in the way
the King acquired the throne through usurpation, “To put down Richard, that sweet lovely rose, And plant this thorn, this canker,
 Bolingbroke?”. The rhetorical questioning signifies how the King has disturbed the natural mediaeval and Elizabethan view of the
Great Chain of Being, thus reinforcing the subversion of traditional ideals of kingship explored in the play.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Shakespeare further challenges the legitimacy of political authority by presenting characters who rebel against the established order.
Prince Hal, in Act 1, Scene 2, paradoxically declares, "I'll so offend to make offence a skill, redeeming time when men think least I
will." This paradoxical statement suggests Prince Hal's intention to challenge the expectations of his role as a prince and rebel
against the established order. It challenges conventional wisdom and highlights his unconventional approach to kingship. Similarly,
Hotspur communicates, "The time of life is short; to spend that shortness basely were too long," the utilisation of antithesis
emphasises the fleeting nature of life and the importance of personal values and ambitions. This challenges the legitimacy of political
authority by suggesting that it is not worth wasting precious time in unworthy pursuits. By employing aphorism, Falstaff reveals that,
"The better part of valour is discretion," challenging the traditional understanding of valour and honour. It questions the legitimacy of
the values associated with political authority, encouraging reflection on the meaning of true courage and the role of discretion in
decision-making. Significantly, the rebellious endeavours of characters in the play revokes the legitimacy of political authority
transgressive to the dominant reading.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Shakespeare exposes the flaws and contradictions within the system of governance through the individual beliefs of various
characters, in particular Falstaff, who is portrayed as transgressive to the dominant societal views regarding the value of honour. His
rhetorical questioning of, "What is honour? A word. What is in that word 'honour'? What is that 'honour'? Air," challenges the
conventional ideals and importance placed on honour. By devaluing honour, Falstaff indirectly questions the legitimacy of political
authority that relies on this concept as a basis for power and control. Falstaff’s use of repetition “To die is to be a counterfeit, for he us
but the counterfeit of a man who hath not the life of a man” enforces the idea that death is a counterfeit and further challenges the
traditional notion of honour. He suggests that it is more honourable to preserve one's life than to die a "noble" death. This challenges
the authority's power over life and death and questions the validity of their control. Conversely, Prince Hal reveals that, “The thieves
are all scattered, and possessed with fear”, demonstrating through the sub plot that the old order is disintegrating, and disorder is rife
but order may be restored under the rule of Prince Hal symbolically mirroring the context of Shakespeare’s time. Throughout the play
various “rebellious” characters expose the flaws and contradictions inherent within the system of governance, dismantling the
dominant reading and revealing greater meaning involving the play’s perceived glorification of monarchical rule.
 CONCLUSION
In Shakespeare's 1 Henry IV, the subversion of traditional ideals of kingship and the challenge to the legitimacy of political authority
are central themes, depicting Shakespeare's realistic attitudes to his Elizabethan context of writing. Through the portrayal of troubled
leaders, rebellious characters, and the questioning of honour and mortality, Shakespeare disrupts the dominant reading of the play as
a glorification of monarchy and instead, he exposes the flaws and contradictions within the system of governance, offering an
alternative perspective that invites reflection and challenges the legitimacy of political authority.