Pursuit of Honor

A detailed Summary of Pursuit of Honor


In Shakespeare's 1 Henry IV, both Hal and Falstaff reflect upon honor, which in this play is the appearance of nobility and it is a particular virtue that is valued: like bravery in men. Throughout the play Falstaff stays constant in his view that the pursuit of honor is a worthless and empty cause; while Hal's view changes from one that expects honor to just come to him, to one that realizes that he must take an active role in obtaining honor. This contrast between the two views help to show the tremendous change Hal goes through during the play. Falstaff's soliloquy is an ironic contrast with how Hal regards honor.

Falstaff's soliloquy in Act 5 Scene 1 (lines 127 ff) questions the value of honor. Falstaff is a man who takes no risks, and the mere idea of throwing one's life away for this abstract thing men call honor seems ridiculous to him. He begins by remarking to himself about how absolutely unnecessary it would be to go to one's death before their time. He uses the metaphor of owing money to make a comparison between paying bills and death. He simply cannot understand why one would be willing to pay such a debt before it is owed-he himself is "loath to pay"(5.1.127) such a thing as his li


Falstaff wonders what good honor will do him. It may indeed "prick [him] off"(5.1.130) like being selected for death from a list by a pin-and that will be the end of him. He now begins a multitude of questions and answers, which clarify his views on the virtue of honor. He establishes that honor can lead to the "grief of a wound"(5.1.132), but cannot heal them because "honor hath no skill in surgery"(5.1.133). Falstaff is no interested in anything that risks personal comfort, and as for honor, he only cares about what it can do for him. He eventually establishes that honor is but "a word"(5.1.134), and in that word nothing but "air-a trim reckoning"(5.1.135). He is interested in tangible things and not in a concept such as honor, concluding that it is useless: "Therefore I'll none of it"(5.1.140). Falstaff's resolution that "honor is a mere scutcheon"(5.1.140) hints at his cynical view. He closes with the statement that the soliloquy he just gave is his 'catechism'. This suggests that the purpose of his religion is to avoid honor, and to continually question its value. This soliloquy is an ironic contrast with how Hal regards honor.

fe to what he views as a worthless and empty cause. He personifies death in his metaphors, sayin

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hal Falstaff, pursuit honor, active role, contrast hal, Honor Shakespeare's, worthless empty cause, role obtaining honor, hal regards honor, active role obtaining, honor active role, worthless empty, establishes honor, honor realizes, change hal, empty cause, role obtaining, honor contrast,

Approximate Word count = 840
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • achilles ... his society are genuine. The Iliad confirms that a warrior lives and dies in the pursuit of honor and glory. Achilles place as a ... 1319 words
  • Achilles and Socrates ... his society are genuine. The Iliad confirms that a warrior lives and dies in the pursuit of honor and glory. Achilles place as a ... 1310 words
  • The Roles of Religion and Ethics in Homeramp39s The Illiad ... The Iliad is an epic poem dedicated to the pursuit of honor and name immortality through fame by humans who are inevitably mortal. ... 903 words
  • Aristotle ... A man always in pursuit of honor would try to achieve honor at all costs in attempts to be praised, which would only lead to misery and further disappointment. ... 2399 words
  • Greek Heroes ... For the main part, Achillesamp39 actions revolve around his pursuit for honor and glory, and for his sense of loyalty to the community and society in which he lives ... 1285 words

Professional Essays

  • Caleb Williams William Godwin ... It is also important to note again that Falkland himself, for all the darkness he has spread in his pursuit of ampquothonor,ampquot is shown by Godwin to be a victim of ... 3219 words
  • Epicurus and Thomas Aquinas ... ampquot He specifically rejects Epicurusamp39 arguments that human happiness can be found in the exercise of prudence or the pursuit of pleasure and honor. ... 960 words
  • Finding Nemo: Analysis of Box Office Figures ... and include loyalty to country and, in this instance, the Crown and team, fear of God as in the case of Liddell, the unselfish pursuit of honor, modesty in ... 4619 words
  • Ideals of Honor in 2 Classic Epics ... Aeneas is clearly a personification of the Roman idealized for of honor, pietas ... In fact, the Virgil seems to consider the pursuit of glory as a dishonorable and ... 2314 words
  • Conceptions of honor in Shakespeare ... He counters Epicurus by stating that the pursuit of pleasure is not part of the ... Brutus sees his own honor in protecting the people from a Caesar whom he ... 2589 words
  • The Iliad and the Aeneid ... Aeneas is clearly a personification of the Roman idealized for of honor, pietas ... In fact, the Virgil seems to consider the pursuit of glory as a dishonorable and ... 2314 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.