Henry IV, Act 5, Scene 4 :: William Shakespeare

In act 5, scene 4, the play reaches a dramatic climax. Due to the murder of Richard II, an act of regicide, it throws the country into turmoil as Henry IV is crowned king and since this event, he has struggled to keep the country unified. Throughout the play, Hal, Henry's son, has developed his character, he begun as a degenerate, spending all his time in taverns, keeping his company with criminals and peasants until the time when he realises his destiny and becomes the Prince of Wales. The relationship between the King and the Prince was awful at the beginning of the play, Henry saw him as useless and idiotic, as he spent his time with the lowest class of people, thieves and criminals and for this reason, Henry wished that Hotspur would be his son. But soon, their relationship improved as Hal acknowledged his responsibilities when Hotspur revolted against the King. This new-found love is emphasised when Henry shows his concern for Hal at the beginning of act 5, scene 4. Hal?s metam orphosis is seen by the country as a good thing because during the civil war, if Hotspur would be the victor, he would divide the country and this would upset the people, possibly leading to another revolt, the reason for this being that the people are used to the country being unified as one. However, if the King and Hal?s army are victorious in defeating Hotspur, the divine order would be restored and the country would remain in a state of unification. For the first key section of Act 5, Scene 4 opens on the battlefield with King Henry, Prince Hal, John of Lancaster and Westmoreland taking the stage. On the stage, I would choose to give a sense of tension to the scene, showing discarded weaponry lost on the ground, with some of the recently deceased clutching to their weapons to imply that as the battle rages on, the blood spilt is growing at an alarming rate and many already lie dead. Also, to show that the king is remaining at his camp, I would have tents with the king?s colours fluttering in the wind. I would have Henry taking centre stage with his weapon sheathed as at this time, he is more concerned over his now loyal son, Hal who by aiding his father in his time of need, is redeeming himself. Secondly, I would Henry IV, Act 5, Scene 4 :: William Shakespeare In act 5, scene 4, the play reaches a dramatic climax. Due to the murder of Richard II, an act of regicide, it throws the country into turmoil as Henry IV is crowned king and since this event, he has struggled to keep the country unified. Throughout the play, Hal, Henry's son, has developed his character, he begun as a degenerate, spending all his time in taverns, keeping his company with criminals and peasants until the time when he realises his destiny and becomes the Prince of Wales. The relationship between the King and the Prince was awful at the beginning of the play, Henry saw him as useless and idiotic, as he spent his time with the lowest class of people, thieves and criminals and for this reason, Henry wished that Hotspur would be his son. But soon, their relationship improved as Hal acknowledged his responsibilities when Hotspur revolted against the King. This new-found love is emphasised when Henry shows his concern for Hal at the beginning of act 5, scene 4. Hal?s metam orphosis is seen by the country as a good thing because during the civil war, if Hotspur would be the victor, he would divide the country and this would upset the people, possibly leading to another revolt, the reason for this being that the people are used to the country being unified as one. However, if the King and Hal?s army are victorious in defeating Hotspur, the divine order would be restored and the country would remain in a state of unification. For the first key section of Act 5, Scene 4 opens on the battlefield with King Henry, Prince Hal, John of Lancaster and Westmoreland taking the stage. On the stage, I would choose to give a sense of tension to the scene, showing discarded weaponry lost on the ground, with some of the recently deceased clutching to their weapons to imply that as the battle rages on, the blood spilt is growing at an alarming rate and many already lie dead. Also, to show that the king is remaining at his camp, I would have tents with the king?s colours fluttering in the wind. I would have Henry taking centre stage with his weapon sheathed as at this time, he is more concerned over his now loyal son, Hal who by aiding his father in his time of need, is redeeming himself. Secondly, I would