Henry continues to lament his son's rowdy behavior and praises what he assumes is truly honorable conduct in Hotspur's blind ambition. Later in Act III, Henry IV chastises Hal for not being respected in the public opinion in the way Hotspur is. He also notes that Hotspur, like himself, had to prove his worth through battles and praises his fortitude; "To bloody battles and to bruising arms. What never-dying honour hath he got-(III.2.105-106). To Henry IV, this is a highly regarded way of proving oneself through bravery and regal duty. .
Hotspur, on the other hand, has his own voice when it comes to honor. Shortly after we hear the king's private praises of Hotspur, we hear Hotspur's fiery stance in reaction to the King's prompt. Hotspur is unmoved in his position, and will not relinquish the prisoners even if the "devil come roar for them-(I.3.125). He rants in a fury to his father and Worchester:.
No; yet time serves wherein you may redeem.
Your banish'd honours and restore yourselves.
Into the good thoughts of the world again,.
Revenge the jeering and disdain'd contempt.
Of this proud king, who studies day and night.
To answer all the debt he owes to you.
Even with the bloody payment of your deaths:.
Therefore, I say ".
(I.3.180-187).
This is a typical "hot-headed- response from the ardent youth who chooses to resolve any argument by blood shed. He is so hard headed that he has the audacity to curse his father for being sick at the time of battle: "Sick now! droop now! this sickness doth infect The very life-blood of our enterprise-(IV.1.28-29). Here he touches upon the definition of honor when he refers to the restoration of a namesake through military action. What Hotspur in his one-mindedness fails to see is what Henry IV has already unveiled. Both characters seek honor by means of force. To these two men the battlefield is the most important channel for gaining respect. In the modern world, the way there two men perceive esteem is similar to how we today view credit.