King Henry IV Act 1 Scene 1

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King Henry IV Act 1 Scene 1
- Opening - troubles and insecurities of new political order 'so shaken as we are, so wan with care'
  - Through Henry's fears, arguably Shakespeare shows that Kingship must be earned
- Henry aims for a unified nation - in Richard II he hopes to crusade to the Holy Land to 'wash this blood off from my guilty hand' (usurpation and killing of Richard II)
  - Introduces the theme of pervasive references to time in the play - his plans for the crusade are '12 months old' now
- Troubles on the Welsh borders
  - News of Mortimer's capture by 'wild Glendower'
  - War portrayed as savage and barbaric 'people...butchered' 'beastly, shameless'
- Trouble on Northern borders
  - 'Gallant Hotspur' fought with 'brave Archibald' at 'Humbleton' ... 'uncertain' outcome
  - Hotspur's success conveys his honour code
    - Blount ('a dear, true industrious friend' to Henry) brings news that the Scottish attack was warded off by Hotspur
- Contrast between Hal and Hotspur
  - Hal 'riot and dishonour stain the brow' Hotspur 'theme of honours tongue'
- Henry - angry that Hotspur in his 'pride' refuses to give up the prisoners
Civil war presented a savage where as conflicts fought for Henry are 'honourable' - shows the pragmatic rhetoric of Henry

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