Disorder

• 'Which, like the meteors of a troubled heaven' - Henry (1.1)


  • motif of celestial imagery at beginning of play underscores the precariousness of Henry's legitimacy & the broader disorder in his kingdom
  • chaos of strife that has stemmed from his usurpation - hypocritical as he is responsible for such chaos by overthrowing the anointed king
  • gives background to protest & highlight's atmosphere of discontent of the nobility as many view his rule as illegitimate
  • undermines authority & weakens hold on throne
• 'this is Worcester, malevolent to you in all aspects' - Westmorland (1.1)


  • Worcester is responsible for Hotspur's defiance
  • set up as a villain
• 'Either envy, therefore, or misprision/ Is guilty of this fault, and not my son' - Henry (1.3)


  • Henry suggesting envy or misunderstanding are responsible for the perception of Hal's dishonour, rather than Hal himself
  • Henry's usurpation has created a destabilised political climate which breeds lies, rumours, misunderstandings & mistrust - sense that Henry cannot trust anyone
  • idea of perception vs reality - Hal's dishonour may be exaggerated or misunderstood but it also reflects deeper concerns about leadership & legacy
• ‘The purpose you undertake is dangerous, the friends you have named

  uncertain, the time itself unsorted, and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so great an opposition’ - Hotspur reading letter (2.3)


  • potential ally refusing to join rebellion
  • rebels do not have enough of a plan, it is too dangerous, and they do not have significant support
  • Hotspur is angry at this - claims they have an 'excellent plot, very good friends' - in denial - driven more by passion than wisdom - impetuous behaviour in military leaders can lead to disastrous consequences - rebellion bound to fail
• 'Come here is the map. Shall we divide our right/ According to our threefold order ta'en?' - Glendower (3.1)


  • rebels plan to divide kingdom into 3 parts, one for each of them to rule over
  • creates argument over how much land people should get
• ‘I had rather live/ With cheese and garlic in a windmill’ - Hotspur (3.1)


  • hotspur tired of Glendower & Mortimer
  • rebels disorganised - fighting with each other - rebellion on wider scale and smaller scale
• ‘often times it doth present harsh rage, Defect of manners, want of government, Pride, haughtiness, opinion and disdain’ - Worcester (3.1)


  • criticising Hotspurs attitude
  • qualities that make Hotspur politically weak despite his bold courage
  • disorganised in politics because so focused on getting on battlefield - not fit to be a leader
• 'That sickness doth infect The very life-blood of our enterprise' - Hostpur (4.1)


  • Northumberland is too sick to fight
  • Hotspur has no sympathy for father - he is worried about morale - their confidence is down with the absence of Northumberland
• 'For if Lord Percy thrive not, ere the King/ Dismiss his power he means to visit us' - Archbishop (4.4)


  • if rebels lose Henry will go around and punish all of their supporters - Archbishop is now in fear for his life
  • rebellion inevitably going to fail - looking weaker & weaker
  •  2 conspirators on stage using spies demonstrates that in a world of conspiracy/ secrets there is some justification for military power to quell disobedience
•  ‘O no, my nephew must not know, Sir Richard,/The liberal and kind offer of the King’ - Worcester (5.2)


  • Worcester refuses to tell Hotspur about Henry's pardon
  • in the name of self-preservation Worcester is going to allow Hotspur to declare war - many people will die for this
  • entirely corrupt and self serving - whole climate of mistrust
• ‘How if he should counterfeit too and rise?... Therefore I’ll make him sure, yea, and I’ll swear I killed him’ - Falstaff (5.4)


  • Falstaff is going to disfigure Hotspur's corpse after Henry has given him dignity & he is going to steal the honour of killing Hotspur
  • Falstaff is a coward, liar & a thief (now of honour)