Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

Honor is a fundamental idea explored throughout the play. Each major character has his own thoughts on what honor actually is and its worth. In act V, scene I, we are given insight into King Henry’s, Falstaff’s and Hal’s contrasting opinions of this abstract concept. The scene begins with messengers coming to address the King. The messenger goes on at length revealing the rebels’ discontent with the King. The King proceeds to dismiss these accusations at which point Hal suggests an alternate solution: he proposes a single duel with Hotspur to end the rebellion. I am content that he shall take the odds Of his great name and estimation, And will, to save the blood on either side, Try fortune with him in a single fight. (5,1,98-101) Up to this point Hal seemed content with stealing, cheating and lying. He was not bothered by these actions because he believed that honor could be attained at a whim. Although he predicted that he would redeem himself, he only showed proof of this in this scene. It is interesting how Hal holds Hotspur in such high esteem. To a great extent Hal admires the qualities that Hotspur possesses and ultimately knows that he must try to become more like Hotspur. Like most people, Hal thi