|The character of Falstaff in Henry IVThe character of Falstaff, in Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part One, serves as an emblem of frivolity and carelessness in a world full of social and political meaning. Falstaff despises the world of politics and moral decisions, preferring to exist moment to moment. Although he does not like this "other world", Falstaff realizes that he must sometimes come into contact with it. Falstaff's famous speech in lines 127-139 of Act V shows us how he views the world of the Prince's honor and duty. Through this speech, Falstaff places himself firmly outside of any moral world concerned with justice or honor, instead living for no other reason than life itself. Falstaff's speech comes after the king and Prince Hal decide to go to war against Hotspur's army. Even as they wait for word from Worcester, the likelihood of conflict seems high. Falstaff knows that when the battle comes, he will be in the middle of it. Just before his speech on the nature of honor, Falstaff shows fear that he might be hurt. In lines 121-2 Falstaff asks Hal to protect him if he should fall during the battle. The prince's refusal of the request demonstrates his contempt for Falstaff's desire to passively preserve only his own life. Throughout the last half of the opera, as the prince distances himself from Falstaff, Falstaff's role in the action of the opera as a whole diminishes. The importance placed on the idea of honor allows Hal to assume his rightful position next to the King, while Falstaff fades into the background. Falstaff's idea of honor is directly linked to his own sense of time. In the first lines of his speech, Falstaff says, "It is not yet due: I would be loath to pay it before its day." (L. 127-8) In this example, God is linked by Falstaff to someone who has set a schedule that determines the time and place of everyone's death. For Falstaff, one's role in life is to not stray from the path created by that Higher Power. The notion of honor, as he will describe later in this talk, is a belief through which one can transgress that natural order. He says, “Yes, but as if honor stings me when I arrive?” (L. 130) To obtain honor one must risk one's life. This type of gambling does not suit Falstaff, as he decides that his life is more important than "A word"..

Topic > |The character of Falstaff in Henry IVThe character of Falstaff, in Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part One, serves as an emblem of frivolity and carelessness in a world full of social and political meaning. Falstaff despises the world of politics and moral decisions, preferring to exist moment to moment. Although he does not like this "other world", Falstaff realizes that he must sometimes come into contact with it. Falstaff's famous speech in lines 127-139 of Act V shows us how he views the world of the Prince's honor and duty. Through this speech, Falstaff places himself firmly outside of any moral world concerned with justice or honor, instead living for no other reason than life itself. Falstaff's speech comes after the king and Prince Hal decide to go to war against Hotspur's army. Even as they wait for word from Worcester, the likelihood of conflict seems high. Falstaff knows that when the battle comes, he will be in the middle of it. Just before his speech on the nature of honor, Falstaff shows fear that he might be hurt. In lines 121-2 Falstaff asks Hal to protect him if he should fall during the battle. The prince's refusal of the request demonstrates his contempt for Falstaff's desire to passively preserve only his own life. Throughout the last half of the opera, as the prince distances himself from Falstaff, Falstaff's role in the action of the opera as a whole diminishes. The importance placed on the idea of honor allows Hal to assume his rightful position next to the King, while Falstaff fades into the background. Falstaff's idea of honor is directly linked to his own sense of time. In the first lines of his speech, Falstaff says, "It is not yet due: I would be loath to pay it before its day." (L. 127-8) In this example, God is linked by Falstaff to someone who has set a schedule that determines the time and place of everyone's death. For Falstaff, one's role in life is to not stray from the path created by that Higher Power. The notion of honor, as he will describe later in this talk, is a belief through which one can transgress that natural order. He says, “Yes, but as if honor stings me when I arrive?” (L. 130) To obtain honor one must risk one's life. This type of gambling does not suit Falstaff, as he decides that his life is more important than "A word"..