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The Taming of the Shrew

 

            "Henry IV" and "The Taming of the Shrew differ in that one .
             is a historical drama, the other a comedy.
             very major similarity: how the main characters, Prince Hal and .
             Katherine, relate to their fathers. They both seem to reject .
             their social roles. Hal immature and heedless of his .
             proper place in the world as a respectable prince. Katherine, in .
             "The Taming of the Shrew", is contemptuous and repellent towards .
             her suitors.
             In "Henry IV", the King believes that to effectively lead .
             the country one needs to lead by example. According to the King's .
             philosophy the best man is the one who lives a pure life and in .
             doing so, attains respect and honor from other men. To the King's .
             way of thinking Hotspur is more fit to be a king than Prince Hal, .
             a comparison that the King makes several times. In Act I, Scene I .
             King Henry makes his first comparison of Hotspur to his son .
             saying that Lord Northumberland's son, Hotspur was "A son who is .
             the theme of honor's tounge." while Prince Hal was marked by .
             ".riot and dishonor." In fact the King goes so far as to wish .
             that Hotspur was his son and not Prince Hal. The reason for this .
             being Hal is a party boy and given to carousing around. In his .
             father's view, he has done nothing to prove him worthy of being .
             the heir to the crown and is a disgrace to the honor and legacy .
             of his principality, ".And art almost an alien to the hearts of .
             all the court and princes of my blood. The hope and expectation .
             of they time is ruined." (III.ii.36-39). Also Henry does not .
             approve of the company in which is son keeps, namely Falstaff .
             whom he thinks is a bad influence, ".Mingled his royalty with .
             cap"ring fools, had his great name profaned with their .
             scorns.grew a companion to the common streets." (III.ii.65-.
             70) We see this is probably true when at the end, Prince Hal .
             comes storming into battle like the valiant prince his father .
             always wanted him to be , goes against his friend and saves .
             his father and crown.


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