An Analysis of Shakespeare's H
There are several important issues brought forth in Act III, Scene I, which Shakespeare must have felt significant enough to include in his historical play. First of all, the relationship between Hotspur and Glendower must be established. Although their first discussion begins with mutual respect and politeness, ("Sit, cousin Percy; good cousin Hotspur.") it quickly turns to quarreling over nearly every issue they discuss. Whether it is Glendower's belief that his birth had some mystical portent, (Glend. "I say the earth did shake when I was born." Hot. "And I say the earth was not of my mind, If you suppose as fearing you it shook.") or the distribution of the land, (Glend. "I'll not have it alter'd." Hot. "Who shall say me nay?") the two seem quick to be at odds with one another. This conflict indicates a possible future tragic event to transpire between the two. Secondly, the issue of the division of land is important to show their frame of mind in this plot; that they are like buzzards circling over an animal, even before it has died. Finally, the manner in which Glendower is guiding the relationship between Mortimer and his daughter seems significant, as the two cannot communicate but through Glendower.
He continues to make fun of his wife in much the same manner as he did with Glendower. Even when she says something as simple as, "Not mine, in good sooth," he cannot help but respond with a sarcastic, "Not yours, in good sooth! Heart! You swear like a comfit-maker's wife." Finally, when she refuses to sing for him he stalks off like a child, taking with him any sympathy he may have had from the women in the audience. t to me that the events illustrated in the previous paragraph were intended to set the stage for events to be played out some time in the near future. The manner in which Shakespeare presented these events was obviously designed not only to stimulate emotional feelings within the audience, but also to entertain them. That there will be a conflict between Glendower and Hotspur seems inevitable. When it will happen seems to be the only question that is left following this scene. In this manner, Shakespeare has used this conflict to evoke a feeling of suspense or foreboding from his audience. The manner in which Hotspur mocks Glendower's ravings and boastful claims of cosmic powers not only displays this conflict between the characters but does so in a comical way. For example; (Glen. "...and at my birth The frame and huge foundation of the earth Shaked like a coward."). For Hotspur's response, Shakespeare wrote it in the less formal prose rather than verse to broadcast Hotspur's underlying opinion of Glendower's opinion of himself (Hot. "Why, so it would have done at the same
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hotspur Glendower, Glendower Hotspur, Glend I'll, Glendower Glendower, Glendower Welshman, English Hotspur, Mortimer's Worcester's, Scene Shakespeare, Bootless Home, , glendower's ravings, division land, manner glendower, manner shakespeare, hotspur glendower, bootless home, glendower hotspur, hotspur's response,
Approximate Word count = 1020
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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