1 Henry IV Act 3, Scenes 2 and 3

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dear rebecca, you better start reading more Shakespeare or you're not going to make it by December 31. love, rebecca.


act 3, scene 2

King Henry chides Prince Hal privately for his wanton ways. Hal tries to submit himself humbly to his father, but Henry obviously needs to get this off his chest. he berates Hal for the following missteps: losing his place on the council, being seen to much in public and in low company, improper conduct. i mean, Hotspur is better fit for the throne than he is. everyone is against him, and he can't even count on his son to help. Prince Hal vows to help his father and to bring Hotspur down. either he or Hotspur will die. King Henry is proud to hear it. his other son recently set out for battle. Hal will follow, and he will follow Hal.

act 3, scene 3

Falstaff and Bardolph are chillin' in another tavern. Falstaff claims that he is wasting away, near death. he sings his own praises-- sort of. (see quote below.) he starts insulting Bardolph, really laying into him, until the Hostess enters. he owes the tavern money, but he's claiming that a pickpocket has stolen his money and a ring he received from his father. the Hostess calls his bluff and they bicker until Prince Hal arrives. Falstaff tries to get Hal on his side, which of course doesn't work, and Falstaff and the Hostess continue to argue. when she finally leaves them alone, Hal reveals that he has paid back all the money that they stole. Falstaff is very unhappy about this. Hal's other news is that he has managed for Falstaff to be in command of a company of infantrymen. Hal asks Falstaff to meet him the next day to receive his orders, and they part ways.

fun fact #1: apparently, the reason that Prince Hal isn't in favor with the council is because... get this... Hal boxed the ears of the Lord Chief Justice. AHAHAHAHA.

fun fact #2: Falstaff calls the Hostess a Maid Marian. he means this with a negative connotation. i love this because to me, Robin Hood is a hero and Maid Marian was a righteous babe who chose love over propriety and station and comfort. Falstaff uses it as an insult because from his perspective, Maid Marian was a woman of ill repute. she was dishonorable and loose. AHAHAHAHA.

why is Falstaff so mean to Bardolph? and why would Hal trust Falstaff with a company of foot soldiers? he's old, fat, and definitely not trustworthy. blind hope? he must truly care for him. like a lot. what do you think about all of this?

quote of the day:

'why, there is it. come sing me a bawdy song; make me merry. i was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be, virtuous enough: swore little, diced not above seven times-- a week, went to a bawdy house not above once in a quarter-- of an hour, paid money that i borrowed--- three or four times, lived well and in good compass; and now i live out of all order, out of all compass.'

   -Falstaff; act 3, scene 3

for tomorrow: act 4!

-rebecca may