Rebels as a credible threat

• 'Then once more to your Scottish prisoners. Deliver them without their ransom straight' - Worcester (1.3)


  • Worcester has a real plan - he is the driving force behind the rebellion
  • aiming to get support of Scots
  • Worcester's political cunning contrasts with Hotspur's rashness
• ‘Percy, Northumberland,/ The Archbishop’s grace of York, Douglas, Mortimer/ Capitulate against us and are up’ - Henry (3.2)


  • there is a legitimate & real threat from Hotspur & the powerful support he has gathered
  • implication that Hal hasn't gathered any support - he couldn't because only people he surrounds himself with are from tavern