Honor in Henry IV, Part OneIn Henry IV, Part One Shakespeare revels in the opportunity to suggest the character's idiosyncracy through his mastery of a wide range of verse and prose. As a result the play is filled with rich and diverse character parts (Wells 141). Two in particular, Falstaff and Hotspur, have different beliefs regarding the play's main theme, honor. In Shakespeare's time, honor was defined as the special virtues that distinguish nobles in the exercise of their calling: gallantry in combat with a worthy enemy, adherence to the accepted code of arms, and individual loyalty to friends, family, and companions. in arms (Prior 14). Throughout the work, honor plays an important role in differentiating the characters, but in the end the reader wonders what place honor can have in a world where subjects rebel against a usurping king they put in power , the prince plays robbery with a dissolute knight. , and the governing parties appear to be guided by “politics” rather than “principles”? (Before 14). The reader is invited to think about the concept of honor in a variety of contexts in relation to the different views of Falstaff and Hotspur. The pursuit of honor is Hotspur's primary motivation and goal, but his obsessive striving becomes dangerous as the pursuit of honor blinds him from everything else. Falstaff's concept of honor is in direct contrast to Hotspur's: for Falstaff, honor is rejected due to his limitations in life and seen as empty and worthless. For Hotspur, honor is more important than life itself, and his blind pursuit of honor ultimately leads to his death. While defending images and ideals, Falstaff modifies the meaning of honor until it is almost reduced to... middle of paper... married like the first satirist, mocking not only the common people and rebels, but also the institution of the monarchy. Shakespeare's fascination with the various idiosyncrasies of Hotspur and Falstaff allows him to portray diversity regarding the perception of honor. Works Cited Bloom, Harold. Henry IV, Part One: Bloom's Notes. New York: Chelsea House, 1996.Cruttwell,Patrick. Henry IV. Shakespeare for Students, Vol. II. Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1999. Kantor, Andrea. Henry IV, first part. London: Baron's Education Series, Inc, 1984.Princiss, G. M. Henry IV Criticism. Shakespeare for Students, Vol.II. Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1999.Prior, Moody E. The Drama of Power: A Study of Shakespeare's Historical Works. Shakespeare for Students, Vol. II. Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1999. Wells, Stanley. Shakespeare: life in drama. New York: Norton & Company, 1995.