Henry IV, Part 1

Hotspur and Falstaff exemplify opposing views of honor. Analyze their perspectives on honor. Which is more compelling? Why?

Hal’s honor is tarnished by his association with Falstaff and his friends. However, this is part of Hal’s plan to reinvent himself. Describe this plan. What does it entail? Does Hal succeed by the end of the play?

At the end of the play, Prince Hal spares Douglas even though he was a deadly foe. What is Hal’s reasoning for keeping Douglas alive? How does this reflect Hal’s maturity and capacity as a leader?

Describe the context behind the Percy family’s rebellion. What are their grievances against King Henry IV? Do you believe their cause is justified? Why or why not?

Hotspur is the play’s main antagonist, but he is not a villain in a traditional sense. Examine Hotspur’s character, focusing on the way that other characters discuss and describe him. How does Hotspur and his reputation influence Prince Hal?

Prince Hal’s loyalties are stretched between the poles of his father and Falstaff. To what extent can Falstaff be read as a father figure to Hal? How do his interactions with Falstaff (particularly in Act II, Scene 4) shed light on Hal’s relationship with his father?

Falstaff famously claims that “The better part of valor is discretion” (5.4.121). What does he mean by this? Do any of the other characters pay for not practicing discretion alongside their valor?

Lady Percy, Lady Mortimer, and Mistress Quickly are the only women featured in Henry IV, Part 1, and their appearances are brief. What role do these women play? How does their presence shape the themes of the play? How do they compare to Shakespeare’s women in other plays?