The hero of the story can be a hypocrite, and in real life often is, especially when a member of a royal family. Shakespeare introduced us to this idea in the history play Henry IV Part 1, the story of as much about the son of Henry IV - who goes on to become Henry V - as it is about Henry IV himself. While the rebels in Henry IV Part 1, namely, the camp of Northumberland, Hotspur and others, are the unlucky losers, nonetheless the rebels were attempting to overthrow Henry IV who himself had been a rebel who deposed Richard II. Meanwhile,
Henry IV's son who ultimately assisted Henry IV's forces in fighting off the rebels uprising went on to fulfil his father's promise to the English aristocracy, for assisting in the deposition of Richard II, to make war against neighbouring France. Henry V's invasion of France is the subject of Shakespeare's later history play Henry V. Shakespeare has enough subtlety to show the audience that behind the grandiosity of the king and his fine princely son lies hypocrisy and nefarious intent, even while those who oppose the king behave in a way that is juvenile, arrogant and angry, and clearly are not themselves the 'good guys' either.
Unlike Shakespeare's treatment, royal families of today enjoy generous helpings of respect and deference in high budget television productions and media portrayals with little or no reverse side apparent. The royals are shown to be glorious, who do no harm and occasionally do a bit of good, and aren't we glad they're there?
A new edition of Henry IV Part 1 explains the play to a 21st Century audience, with footnotes to Shakespeare's text for easy reading and to provide historical context and insight. The new edition is available here at Amazon dot com and here at Amazon dot co dot uk.
Henry IV's son who ultimately assisted Henry IV's forces in fighting off the rebels uprising went on to fulfil his father's promise to the English aristocracy, for assisting in the deposition of Richard II, to make war against neighbouring France. Henry V's invasion of France is the subject of Shakespeare's later history play Henry V. Shakespeare has enough subtlety to show the audience that behind the grandiosity of the king and his fine princely son lies hypocrisy and nefarious intent, even while those who oppose the king behave in a way that is juvenile, arrogant and angry, and clearly are not themselves the 'good guys' either.
Unlike Shakespeare's treatment, royal families of today enjoy generous helpings of respect and deference in high budget television productions and media portrayals with little or no reverse side apparent. The royals are shown to be glorious, who do no harm and occasionally do a bit of good, and aren't we glad they're there?
A new edition of Henry IV Part 1 explains the play to a 21st Century audience, with footnotes to Shakespeare's text for easy reading and to provide historical context and insight. The new edition is available here at Amazon dot com and here at Amazon dot co dot uk.
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