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Sir John Falstaff- from Shakespears Henry the IV part I

 

            In this paper for this class Reading of Shakespeare we are to write about the character Sir John Falstaff, from the play Henry the IV part I ; which is probably one his most read history plays that he wrote. In my opinion it has more "flavor" than any of the others that we have read. .
             The character Falstaff, is one that you can't help but like, even though he is a bit strange, but then again this is Shakespeare. Falstaff plays the one of comedy in this very serious play. He is a very funny, self centered, older fat manipulative man, who is really a knight for King Henry, even though he isn't of knight quality. Falstaff spends much of his time drinking at the local bar and thinking up plans to robbery just for the fun of it. One normally thinks of a knight as man who guards the kingdom, while this character in every since of the word is just out to have a good time. Falstaff doesn't think much of honor, instead he mocks it. He plans a robbery and succeeds with it, but then his friends turn around and rob him of the money, which is very embarrassing for Falstaff. Even though Falstaff is pretty much the scum in this play, you can't help to like him and root for him. He has no scents of morals or honor, but he does have a great love for life. Falstaff also has a great deal of respect and regard to Prince Harry, who he does consider a true friend. .
             Falstaff is one who doesn't believe in dieing for his country, as he said "what good is a dead hero". Falstaff even fakes his own death to avoid being killed by his enemy. He even goes so far as to stab hotspur and claim that he killed him, when in fact he just happened to stumble upon his body on the battlefield.
             Falstaff is interested in few things, mainly food and beer. He has no real desire for the need of a woman and in fact avoids them at most costs. There are women who support him, but he justs cheats and decieves them. Falstaff is very loyal to the Prince and is also bragging about how his relationship with the Prince.


Essays Related to Sir John Falstaff- from Shakespears Henry the IV part I

1. Falstaff

Falstaff's Honor From Henry IV Part 1 Act V Scene I Lines 127-141 Shakespeare's King Henry IV Part 1 centers on the principal theme of the conflict between order and disorder. ... The character, Sir John Falstaff, unlike the honorable Hotspur or King Henry, is a symbol for vitality and freedom from all life's seriousness. Falstaff's enduring moral disorder and contempt for glory accompanied with danger is evident in his short soliloquy on honor at the conclusion of Act V Scene I in Henry IV Part 1. ... Rather, the prince has moved away from his former mentor, Fa...

  • Word Count: 922
  • Approx Pages: 4

2. Henry IV

In 1784, Thomas Davies, in a collection of essays on Shakespeare's plays, observed that "in the opinion of Thomas Warburton, and I believe all the best critics, the First Part of Henry IV. is, of all our author's plays, the most excellent" (Davies, 1, 202). ... The judgments are easily multiplied, but it is worth noting that, although Davies's commendation is specific to "the First Part", Van Doren and Auden praise a play that doesn't exist: Henry IV. ... No doubt much of its continued popularity has resulted, as Digges suggested, from the comic action, and, in particular, ...

  • Word Count: 1901
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3. King Henry IV

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  • Word Count: 499
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. English Report: Hamlet and Falstaff

Many people admired the plays Hamlet and Henry IV, because of the magnificent characters that were chosen to be a part in both of the plays. ... In one of his plays, Henry IV, featured a very different character known as Falstaff. ... Falstaff always had an interesting part in each section of the play. In the play, Henry IV, Falstaff is a friend of Prince Hal. ... It seems to be that Hamlet is more popular than Henry IV. ...

  • Word Count: 601
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5. Henry IV

Henry IV, Parts One and Two In the beginning of Henry IV, King Henry seems pre-occupied with re-establishing his moral legitimacy to the throne. He talks of atoning for Richard II's death by going on a crusade, "to chase these pagans from those holy fields" (I.i.24). ... He doesn't seem kingly in the bar-room scenes with Falstaff, but those scenes show Hal's good humor and humanity, which his father doesn't seem to admit room for in his zealous guard to keep the throne. ... Though of course, by the end of Henry IV: Part Two, Hal's change has become quite tangible. A...

  • Word Count: 289
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6. Defining the Principles of Honor in Henry IV

In the Shakespeare's play Henry IV the word honor is used in various forms thirty two times. ... However, the four major characters in Henry IV; Henry IV, Prince Harry (Hal), Henry Percy (Hotspur), and Falstaff; seem to have come to determine their own separate stance on how honor works and to what degrees this idea holds an importance to them personally. ... First off, the rebel king Henry IV brings up the introductory discussion of honor. ... To Henry IV, this is a highly regarded way of proving oneself through bravery and regal duty. ... What Hotspur in his one-mindedness fails t...

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7. Prince Hal - Analyzing Influences

Using this definition of "father," when looking at Prince Hal in Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part One," the case can be made that Prince Hal is mentored, influenced and guided by two father figures; King Henry IV, and Falstaff. ... In the beginning of the play one is introduced to Prince Hal who's personality has been molded by his father King Henry IV and interactions with his tavern friend Falstaff. ... Although one looks at Falstaff's personality traits as negative, their influences on Hal provide him with traits he would not have ever learned from Henry. ... This can be said be...

  • Word Count: 1571
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8. Henry IV Part One: Power

What does Henry IV Part One have to say about the manipulation of people and power? Some see Henry IV Part One as Shakespeare's own "morality play" - such plays were well-received by medieval audiences. ... Hal assures him with the solemn oath: "I do, I will." Although the two are playing a scene, there is an underlying tone of menace from Hal and a sense of panic from Falstaff. ... Another source can be found in Henry himself, perhaps the place from which Hal's deception stems. ...

  • Word Count: 2671
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9. Henry IV - Passage IV Commentary

Falstaff takes the role of prince while Hal plays the part of the king, urging his son to end his association with Falstaff, who defends himself profusely in the process. ... Hal with his superior intellect and sharp wit heavily criticizes Falstaff while playing the role of king Henry. ... " (463-464) Hal alludes to the devil by comparing Falstaff to one haunting Hal. The devil in religious texts primarily serves as a force whose goal is often to mislead and harm, which has a sinister connotation that Hal does not benefit from his relationship with Falstaff. ... Although supposed to be re...

  • Word Count: 681
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