Hal's reputation

     Scene 3.3 in 1 Henry iv is my favorite scene because it is a comic scene which illustrates a very serious theme that ties Hal’s story to his father’s. Falstaff, who has accepted bribes from men wealthy enough to pay to avoid being drafted, has arrived at the tavern showing no remorse for his dishonestly, even when the other patrons tease him about it. By this action, he shows that he does not respect Hal as the prince, but considers him an equal. Right before Hal enters the scene, he jokes :”…The Prince is a jack, a sneak-up.” “’Sblood, an he were here I would cudgel him like a dog if he would say so.” Of course, this is just talk coming from Falstaff, and is taken as comical. He later says “Why, Hal, thou knowest as thou art but man I dare, but as thou art prince, I fear thee as I fear the roaring of the lions’ whelp.” When Hal asks why not as the lion, Falstaff replies:”The King himself is to be feared as the lion. Dost thou think I’ll fear thee as thy father?” In this way, Hal’s legitimacy as prince is questioned, as his father’s legitimacy as king is questioned after overthrowing Richard II. 

     The pick-pocketing incident further displays this question of how legitimacy is determined. When Falstaff asks Hal if he admits that he’d picked his pocket, Hal replies, “It appears to be the story.” Shakespeare uses this moment to question truth in history. Hal picking Falstaff’s pocket is reminiscent of Bolingbroke stealing the throne from Richard II. Henry IV and his heirs are considered legitimate because as the ruling party, they get to write history. History is a series of stories that can be interpreted in different ways. By picking Falstaff’s pocket, Hal is showing that he has the power to take control of the kingdom and dictate what his own story will be. This is also a foreshadowing of his eventual abandonment of Falstaff, in order to fulfill his role as king.