Henry criticises the former leader for being the вЂњskipping kingвЂќ for his association with the proletariat, and dismisses the pleasures of such classes as вЂњbarrenвЂќ and вЂњlewd actsвЂќ. Throughout the play, there is an understated comparison between Henry and Richard II, who unlike King Duncan in Macbeth, is no virtuous king. Tapping into the celestial motif which Shakespeare uses repeatedly to refer to royalty, Henry states, вЂњby being seldom seen, I could not stir, But, like a comet, I was wondвЂ™red atвЂќ. He believes that cultivating such rarity is the best way to endear himself to the citizens of England. Idealistically, Henry IV seeks to cultivate a detached image in order to regain his royal status he seeks to be вЂњmighty and to be fearedвЂќ. The ideal leader: (devices: comparisons with Richard II celestial motifs the themes of theft and prestige) HenryвЂ™s rage conceals a more pressing and deep-seated anger - that the rebels are undermining his honour and legitimacy. Pursuant to HenryвЂ™s demands, Hotspur only agrees to hand over prisoners of royal blood (according to the law of arms). King HenryвЂ™s anxiety is compounded by HotspurвЂ™s challenge the refusal to handover the prisoners-of-war sets up a power struggle between the father and preferred son. Hotspur sees Henry as a criminal, вЂa poor unminded outlaw sneaking homeвЂ™ and Worcester is вЂњmalevolent to you in all respectsвЂќ. He is referred to variously by others as the вЂњcankered BullingbrookвЂќ. Although he bears himself regally, he remains вЂњshakenвЂќ, вЂњwan with care,вЂќ and вЂњpale with worryвЂќ (I.i.1). He is aware that he lacks the divine anointment generally required of royalty, but broaches the question as to whether good governance affords him the right to trust and respect. The motivation for repentance also stems from the questions of illegitimacy that haunt the King. Both are leaders in their own right Falstaff, the lollard knight, and вЂњking of misruleвЂќ is a subversive leader of the common folk Henry IV, the most powerful man in England, ambiguously stands for law and order and articulates many of the key ideas that revolve around leadership and honour.ДЇalstaff is in touch with his subjects he is one of the вЂњmoonвЂ™s menвЂќ, a man of the lower classes food, women and wine are his вЂњvocationвЂќ and he claims that вЂњвЂ™tis no sin for a man to labour in his vocation.вЂќ Through being so in touch with his вЂњsubjectsвЂќ, the tavern crowd become beholden to Falstaff and even under his control somewhat, ironically bringing order to his naturally disruptive world.ДЇrom the outset, HenryвЂ™s desire to participate in the crusade and his concerns about peace, harmony and repentance draw attention to the disunity in England that undermines his rule. The antithetical characters of Falstaff and Henry IV complement each other to highlight their opposite numberвЂ™s shortcomings. In many ways, Shakespeare demonstrates the importance of attaining an Aristotelian mean of character in order to be a successful ruler. Ultimately, the heir apparent, Hal, synthesizes the best of these influences, helping him transform from a wastrel spending his time in the taverns of London to a war hero, defeating Hotspur in battle and regaining his fatherвЂ™s approval. Henry IV and Jack Falstaff are antithetical leaders of completely different worlds, and it is this contrast that challenges audiences to question the importance of honesty and deceit and the relationship of leader to oneвЂ™s subjects. HotspurвЂ™s honour and bravery are his key traits that lead to his ascent to power in triggering revolt, but his lack of political tact and courtesy ultimately combine with his quixotic view of honour to facilitate his downfall. There are a number of characters who each rule in their own social and political context Henry IV rules England after deposing Richard II Hotspur leads the rebellion against the monarchy Sir Jack Falstaff is a self-invented leader among the commoners who make up the majority of EnglandвЂ™s population, and Hal, the heir to the throne, is poised to become the most powerful man in England.Д®ach of these characters has critical qualities that contribute to their success, or lack thereof. In a world rife with social and political turmoil, William ShakespeareвЂ™s King Henry IV part 1 is, at its core, a commentary on the qualities that are most important to a successful ruler. The themes of leadership and honour in the murky political world of King Henry IV (by Dr Jennifer Minter)

King henry iv part 1 analysis