2.3.1 SH HOTSPUR = Ed. Not in F 15 our friends = Q. F = our Friend 54 beads = Q. F = beds 108 well believe = Q. F = will beleeue 110 far will = Q. F = farre wilt
2.4.106 and foot them = Q. Not in F 114 with lime in't F (uncorrected) reads with in't F (corrected) reads with lime 132 SH POINS = Q. F = Prin. 178 ward = Q. F = word 208 the = F. Q = their 221 plentiful = Q. F = plentie 305 talon spelled Talent in F 308 Braby = F. Q = Bracy 309 That = Q. F = The 316 that = Q. F = the 364 tristful = Ed. F = trustfull 378 sun spelled Sonne in F 444 most = Q. F = most most 502 march = Q. F = Match
3.1.46 the = F. Q = he 67 sent = Q. F = hent 135 on = Ed. Q/F = an 193 our = Q. F = your 220 'twixt = Q. F = betwixt 228 hence = Q. F = thence
3.2.113 swaddling spelled swathing in F 154 heaven...survive = F. Q = God I promise heere, / The which if he be pleasd I shall performe (F alteration due to 1606 Parliamentary "Act to Restrain the Abuses of Players") 158 bonds spelled Bands in F.
3.2.20 my = Q. F = thy 31 son spelled Sunne in F 49 tithe = Ed. F = tight 65 your = Q. F = you: 76 sneak-cup = F. Q = sneakeup 120 owed spelled ought in F 156 and cherish = F. Q = cherish (F sets this speech as verse, though it is prose in Q; seems to have been added in an attempt to create a pentameter line) 158 prithee = Q. F = I prithee
4.1.21 I his mind = F. Q = I my mind. Ed = I, my lord 45 not. His = Ed. F = not his 63 hair = Q. F = Heire 81 our = Q. F = your 88 as = Q. F = Atdream = F. Q = tearme 92 with him = Q. F = with 127 hot = Q. F = not
4.2.3 Coldfield = Ed. F = cop-hill 18 fowl = Q. F = Foole 31 tattered = F3. F = totter'd
4.4.0 SD Michael spelled Michell in F
5.1.47 swore = Q. F = sware 72 your younger = Q. F = yonger 136 Is it = F. Q = tis
5.2.8 other = Q. F = others 31 news = Q. F = newe- 52 talking = F. Q = tasking 73 a liberty = Q. F = at Liberty 79 Than = Q. F = That 89 are = Q. F = is 139 ragamuffins = Ed. F = rag of Muffins 143 lies = Q. F = likes
5.3.6 Lest your = Q. F = Least you 63 that = F. Q = the 93 thee dead = Q7. Q/F = the dead 127 with me = Q. F = me
OATHS FROM THE QUARTO
The following oaths were altered in the Folio text as a result of the Parliamentary Act to Restrain the Abuses of Players (spelling has been modernized in this list):
SCENE-BY-SCENE ANALYSIS
ACT 1 SCENE 1
King Henry despairs at the civil unrest that has dominated his reign. He describes the "civil butchery," establishing the motif of "blood" that highlights both the violent conflict and the theme of lineage and inheritance. He declares his intention to lead a long-planned Crusade to the Holy Land. He talks of the Crucifixion, "fourteen hundred years ago," and of the "twelvemonth" plan he has had to make his Crusade, establishing the motif of time, which functions to place the events of the play in a wider historical context, as well as drawing attention to the brevity of individual man's existence within this.
Westmorland informs Henry that the English forces, led by the "noble Mortimer," have been defeated by the Welsh rebels, led by Glendower. Henry realizes he must put his plans for a Crusade aside, and Westmorland tells him of more fighting between Scottish insurgents and "the gallant Hotspur.../ Young Harry Percy." Henry updates Westmorland: Hotspur defeated the "bold Scots" and took many noble prisoners: "an honourable spoil." This emphasizes the theme of "honour," further reinforced by Henry's comparisons between Hotspur and his own son, Prince Henry (also called Harry): the shared name establishes the deliberate paralleling and comparison between the two young men.
Lineage and father-son relationships are addressed as the king envies Hotspur's father, Lord Northumberland, whose son is "the theme of honour's tongue," while "riot and dishonour stain the brow" of his own. He also comments, however, on Hotspur's "pride" in only sending one noble prisoner to the king and keeping the rest. Westmorland suggests that this is due to the influence of his uncle, Worcester, who is "Malevolent" toward the king. Henry has sent for Hotspur to explain his actions.
ACT 1 SCENE 2
Lines 1-98: Providing a comic contrast to the political/military concerns of the previous scene, Prince Henry and Falstaff exchange rapid-fire, quick-witted banter. Henry comments on his friend's corrupt lifestyle spent drinking and visiting brothels. Despite the accusation that Falstaff is "fat-witted," his responses show that he can be quick and entertaining in his use of language, although both men speak in prose, reflecting the "low" nature of their subject matter. Falstaff is revealed as a robber and a freeloader, but he appears good-natured and fond of Prince Henry, sometimes addressing him in a paternal tone that serves to highlight the estranged relationship between the prince and his father. Falstaff refers to the future, when Henry will be king, reminding the audience of the obligations of birth and rank that Henry is neglecting.
Lines 99-174: They are joined by Poins, who reveals that he plans to rob a party of traveling pilgrims and traders, all "with fat purses," the next morning. Falstaff agrees to join him, but Henry refuses. Poins asks Falstaff to leave them while he convinces Henry to participate. Poins explains that he has planned "a jest": Falstaff, Peto, Bardolph, and Gadshill will commit the robbery, after which Poins and Henry will rob them of their ill-gotten gains. Henry objects that the others will know them by their horses, "and by every other appointment," raising the question of appearance and identity. Poins suggests they leave their horses and disguise their "outward garments" with outfits of buckram. Henry agrees to the plan and Poins goes to prepare.
Lines 175-197: Henry's soliloquy reveals a different side to his character. Speaking in blank verse, an indication of his noble status, he compares himself to the sun (a repeated image, associated with royalty), which has permitted "the base contagious clouds / To smother up his beauty from the world." Using repeated images of concealment, disguise, and revelation, he explains that he is hiding his true character in order to appear even greater when the world witnesses his "reformation." Despite revealing a strong sense of his social status and responsibility, he is deliberately deceiving his friends and family and seems more concerned with creating a "glittering" appearance than with his obligations.
ACT 1 SCENE 3
Lines 1-124: At court Hotspur has responded to King Henry's summons, accompanied by his father, Northumberland, and his uncle, Worcester. The king announces that he has been too "temperate," and that Hotspur has taken advantage of his "patience." He declares that from now on he will be "Mighty and to be feared." Worcester argues that their family does not deserve to be punished, particularly as they helped Henry to achieve his "greatness." Henry sends Worcester out and Northumberland pleads on his son's behalf, arguing that there has been some "envy or misprision" in the representation of his actions over the prisoners. Hotspur offers an explanation that shows his eloquence, but acknowledges his potentially rash temper. He tells Henry that, "dry with rage and extreme toil" after the lengthy battle, with his wounds still raw and "smarting," he was approached by a courtier, a "popinjay," whose foppish behavior and demands for the prisoners at that moment provoked him into rudeness. Sir Walter Blunt suggests that under such circumstances, Hotspur's actions might be overlooked, but Henry is still angry, revealing that Hotspur retains the prisoners and refuses to return them unless the king ransoms Mortimer, Hotspur's brother-in-law, from Glendower. Citing Mortimer's marriage to Glendower's daughter as evidence of treachery, Henry refuses to ransom "revolted Mortimer." Hotspur furiously defends his brother-in-law, describing his bravery in the "bloody" battle with Glendower and accusing the king of slander. Henry forbids Hotspur to mention Mortimer again and, demanding the immediate delivery of the prisoners, he leaves.
Lines 125-310: Hotspur announces that even if "the devil come and roar for them" he will not hand over the prisoners. His father urges him to calm down as Worcester returns, but Hotspur ignores him, calling Henry an "unthankful king." Hotspur describes Henry's reaction to the mention of Mortimer, and Worcester reveals that Richard II (who was deposed by Henry, and murdered shortly after) named Mortimer as his successor. Hotspur now
understands Henry's reluctance to help Mortimer, but is angry with his family for their role in deposing "that sweet lovely rose," Richard, and replacing him with "this thorn, this canker, Bullingbrook," and with Henry for his ingratitude for the "shames" that the family has undergone on his behalf.
Worcester tries to tell Hotspur of a "deep and dangerous" plan, but Hotspur ignores him, continuing to rail against Henry. Northumberland tells his son that he is "wasp-tongued and impatient." Eventually, Worcester is able to outline his plan to ally with the Scottish and Welsh forces against Henry. He advises Hotspur to release his Scottish prisoners without ransom and to form an alliance with the Earl of Douglas. Worcester tells Northumberland to enlist the help of the Archbishop of York, Lord Scroop, whose brother was executed by Henry. Worcester himself will go to Wales to Glendower and Mortimer, promising to arrange a meeting of all of their "powers."
ACT 2 SCENE 1
At an innyard on the London-Canterbury road, two Carriers are preparing their horses. Once again, the motif of time is dominant, establishing the night setting of the scene and reinforcing the wider temporal concerns of the play. The Carriers are interrupted by Gadshill, asking for a lantern but, suspicious of his motives, they refuse and leave. The references to darkness emphasize secrecy and deception: both the comic deception of Falstaff by Poins, and the more serious plotting against King Henry. The inn's chamberlain arrives and informs Gadshill that there are wealthy guests preparing to leave. Gadshill sets off to organize the robbery.
ACT 2 SCENE 2
Farther down the highway, Poins tells Henry, Peto, and Bardolph that he has hidden Falstaff's horse for a joke. They stand aside as Falstaff approaches, angrily calling for Poins. Henry tells Falstaff to be quiet and pretends to go to find Poins, but joins the others in the darkness as they listen to Falstaff complaining and cursing them. They join him again, and Henry teases "fat-guts" Falstaff as he demands the return of his horse. Gadshill arrives with the news that there is "money of the king's" on its way down the hill. Henry says that he and Poins will go further down the lane to catch their victims if they should escape from the others, and they leave, exchanging an aside about their "disguises." Falstaff, Peto, Bardolph, and Gadshill carry out the robbery, leaving with their victims. Henry and Poins return, disguised, and hide as the robbers reenter, dividing up their profits. As Falstaff says that Poins and Henry will get nothing for being "arrant cowards," the prince and his companion set upon them. Frightened, the robbers run away, leaving the loot behind. Henry laughs at the fact that Falstaff must walk home.
ACT 2 SCENE 3
Hotspur's serious plans contrast with the low and essentially comic plotting of the last two scenes, reinforcing the deliberate character contrast with Prince Henry. Hotspur is reading a letter from an unnamed nobleman, who has declined to join the rebellion. Hotspur criticizes the letter writer as a "shallow cowardly hind," showing his quick temper and concerns with honor. Worried that the "frosty-spirited rogue" will reveal the plot to the king, Hotspur decides that he must set off at once to join his fellow conspirators. He is interrupted by his wife, Lady Percy, demanding to know what is wrong. She complains that he has been neglecting her: instead of "pleasure and...golden sleep" in bed, he disturbs her with nightmares, talking of "prisoners' ransom and of soldiers slain." She is worried that her brother, Mortimer, intends to stake his claim to the throne, and that Hotspur is involved. Although their exchange reveals a loving relationship, Henry is impatient, saying that he has no time for love. He tells her that she must not question him, as, although he knows her to be "wise" and "constant," she is a woman, and therefore not to be trusted. He consoles her with the promise that she shall soon join him.
ACT 2 SCENE 4
Lines 1-102: Prince Henry continues to lead a disreputable existence, ignoring his noble birth and responsibilities. In the Eastcheap tavern, he boasts to Poins of his drinking exploits. In order to "drive away time" while they wait for Falstaff, he orders Poins to help him tease the young bartender, Francis. The prince mocks Francis for his limited use of language (forcing a contrast with the verbal dexterity of other characters in the play, such as himself, Falstaff, and Hotspur) and for his hardworking nature. He moves on to criticize the similarly industrious character of "the Hotspur of the north," one of his first acknowledgments of the political world outside his current life.
Lines 103-274: The others arrive and, as they drink, Henry and Falstaff banter rudely with each other, demonstrating the mixture of affection and contempt that the prince feels for Falstaff, and Falstaff's simultaneous lack of respect and awareness of Henry's royal status. Falstaff accuses the prince and Poins of being cowards for not taking part in the robbery. When Henry asks where the loot is, Falstaff tells how they were themselves robbed by "a hundred" men. Dramatic irony compounds the humor as Falstaff boasts of how he fought off their attackers and only escaped "by a miracle." Encouraged by Poins and Henry, he continues to exaggerate, contradicting himself and inventing details, until the prince calls him a liar. They exchange insults until Henry reveals the truth: it was he and Poins who robbed them. Falstaff quickly recovers, claiming that he knew this, and that he did not fight back because he did not wish "to kill the heir-apparent." They are interrupted by Hostess Quickly who announces that a nobleman has brought Henry a message from the king. Falstaff goes to "send him packing."
Lines 275-443: Falstaff returns, and the prince immediately starts taunting him again, but Falstaff tells Henry that he has been summoned to court the following morning by his father. Falstaff tells Henry of the rebellion, and Hotspur's alliance with the Welsh and Scottish forces, and urges him to prepare what he is going to say to the king the next day. In a meta-theatrical episode, they "act out" Henry's coming interview with his father. Despite its comic overtones, this episode explores the relationships that Henry has with both Falstaff and his father. The questions that Falstaff puts to him as to whether the "son of England" should "prove a thief and take purses" emphasize the disparity between the prince's rank and duty and his current behavior. When Falstaff uses his "role" as king to recommend that Henry keep Falstaff by him even when he banishes the others, Henry decides that they should swap places. He is playing the role of king, and abusing Falstaff, when a knocking is heard and Bardolph runs in.
Lines 444-507: Bardolph announces that the Watch are at the door. Hostess Quickly adds that they have come to search the house. The prince advises Falstaff to hide while he talks to the sheriff. Henry denies that Falstaff has been there, but promises to find him and send him to the sheriff, who leaves. Peto finds Falstaff snoring behind the arras and Henry goes through his pockets, finding only a bill for food and drink. Henry tells Peto that he will go and see the king in the morning, and warns him that they "must all to the wars," joking that he will put Falstaff in command of an infantry company.
ACT 3 SCENE 1
Lines 1-148: The rebels meet in Wales to discuss their plans. They begin civilly, but Hotspur loses patience with Glendower's beliefs in astrological signs. Glendower claims that King Henry fears him because, at his birth, heaven was "full of fiery shapes" and the earth "Shaked like a coward," but Hotspur is rudely dismissive of these claims and mocks Glendower. Mortimer intervenes and they look at a map showing the potential division of land after the defeat of Henry. Mortimer announces that he, Hotspur, and Worcester will set forth the next day to meet Northumberland and the Scottish armies at Shrewsbury, while Glendower gathers his forces to meet them "in fourteen days." Glendower promises to be with them quickly, and to bring their "ladies" with him (Kate, Lady Percy, and his own daughter, wife of Mortimer). Hotspur, however, is still looking at the map and announces that he is not satisfied that his share is equal. Showing his lack of maturity, he goads Glendower and threatens to divert the course of the River Trent. In contrast to Hotspur, Glendower remains calm and agrees to a minor change in the map before leaving to find the ladies.
Lines 149-193: Mortimer rebukes Hotspur for his rudeness. Hotspur comp
lains that Glendower angers him by talking about myths and magic and "skimble-skamble stuff." Worcester tells Hotspur that he must "amend" his behavior, providing an accurate analysis of his nephew's character: divided between "greatness, courage, blood" and "harsh rage...Pride, haughtiness, opinion and disdain."
Lines 194-268: Glendower brings the ladies to bid good-bye. He translates the conversation between his daughter and Mortimer, as husband and wife do not speak each other's language. Their exchange is apparently romantic, however, and she sings him a parting song in Welsh. Hotspur mocks them as he and Lady Percy wrangle affectionately, perhaps showing a more genuine relationship than that of Mortimer and his wife. Mortimer and Hotspur leave.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
King Henry sends his lords away so that he can speak privately with Prince Henry. The king wonders whether God is punishing him through his son for some "displeasing service" he has done in the past. Angry and disappointed, he rebukes Prince Henry for his lifestyle of "barren pleasures [and] rude society." Prince Henry claims that he has not behaved as badly as rumor suggests and asks for his father's pardon, but the king continues, pointing out that the prince's younger brother, Prince John, has had to take on his responsibilities. He argues that if he himself had been "So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men" during his campaign for the throne, he would have lost the good opinion of the public, which was so important to his cause. In an emotional appeal, he compares Prince Henry's behavior to that of Richard II, who "Mingled his royalty with carping fools" and destroyed his popularity by being too much in the public eye. He talks about Hotspur, claiming that he "hath more worthy interest to the state" than Prince Henry does, as he has shown courage and nobility in battle, even in his challenge to the king. He ends by saying that his son is just as likely to fight against him through "fear" and "Base inclination." Moved, Henry begs him not to "think so" and promises to redeem himself "on Percy's head," washing away his own "shame" with the blood of battle. His speech is eloquent and his use of blank verse and stirring imagery form a stark contrast with his speech and behavior in previous scenes.