At the beginning of this Act 3 scene 2, Shakespeare clears the other characters from the stage, intensifying the first meeting between the wayward son and his disgruntled father. The King begins by showing great disappointment in Hal, wondering whether he is the result of any "displeasing service I have done" to God (Act 3, Scene 2, line 5). King Henry is distressed by the effect the people Hal surrounds himself with are having on his princely image:.

             "Could such inordinate and low desires,.

             Such poor, such bare, such lewd, such.

             mean attempt, such barren pleasures,.

             rude society as there art matched withal.

             Accompany the greatness of thy blood".

             (Act 3, Scene 2, line 12).

             Carrying on with the same theme, the King voices his displeasure at Hal"s behaviour by stating that due to his absence from the council, "thy place in council thou hast rudely lost, which by thy younger brother is supplied" (Act 3, Scene 2, line 32), something which had never happened before to "Princes of my blood" (Act 3, Scene 2 line 35). The King further emphasising the loss of respect from his people stating "the soul of every man Prophetically do forethink thy fall" (Act 3, Scene 2, line 37), and Hotspur "hath more worthy interest to the state than thou, the shadow of succession" (Act 3, Scene 2, line 98). Henry then illustrates Hal"s inadequate claim for the throne through a comparison with Hotspur, explaining that Hotspur:.

             "leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on.

             to bloody battles, and to bruised arms.

             What never-dying honour hath he got.

             Against renowned Douglas!" .

             (Act 3, Scene 2, line 104).

             Hal, vexed after hearing such disparaging comments is spurred into an emotional reply. He pleads to his father that he has misjudged him, for the accounts of his behaviour were truly exaggerated. Hal"s passionate plea confirms his loyalty to his father and that he is willing to give up his Eastcheap friends and redeem his tarnished reputation, by defeating Hotspur in one-to-one combat: .