Compare the Presentation of Potential Successors to the Throne in 1 Henry Lv and Richard Lll

Heroes are selfless, act with honour and chivalry, take risks for the benefit of others and have the support of God. In 1 Henry lV, Shakespeare created two heroic characters Prince Hal and Hotspur, courageous and chivalrous, guided by honour and the desire to be King. Conversely, in Richard lll Shakespeare challenges the assumption that leaders are heroes by creating Richard, manipulative, cruel, duplicitous and evil. Richard takes the throne and leads his country without any heroic qualities; he is an accomplished actor, motivated by power, driven by ambition and blessed with the eloquence and charisma to beguile his enemies.

At the outset Richard, Hal and Hotspur lack the qualities necessary to lead the nation. Hotspur is a hero, valiant and courageous in battle but a dreamer who places honour above all else; away from the battlefield he lacks the language, judgment or political acumen to lead. Hal has a divine right, bestowed by birth and God to be King but appears to have no heroic qualities, a wastrel. In reality, Hal’s actions are those of a leader, a Prince in waiting, chivalric and honourable in all areas of his life, willing to take risks in the service of his country and for the good of his people.

Richard is a chameleon who changes his character to conceal his evil intent, seducing the 16th century audience to become his co-conspirators. The people distrust Richard long before the nobles which is illustrated by their reluctance to respond to Buckingham’s rally, ‘they spake not a word…and looked deathly pale.’ The 16th century audience would be concerned that Richard, as King, would be head of the body politic, his corruption and deformity would spread throughout the nation and cause them to suffer. Whilst Hal, would be a healthy, handsome and heroic head of the body politic who would reign over a prosperous nation

In act 1 of 1 Henry lV King Henry compares the two potential leaders, inviting the audience to understand his sorrow caused by Hal’s disreputable behaviour. ‘Riot and dishonour stain the brow,’ stain implies the King believes Hal is destined to be a reprobate forever. Henry considers Hotspur ‘a son who is the theme of honour’s tongue’ due to his virtue and valour on the battlefield. Shakespeare uses magical imagery to convey Henry’s wish that the heroic Hotspur had been exchanged for Hal at birth by a ‘night-tripping fairy.’ Shakespeare foreshadows the climatic battle between the two heroic rivals to succeed Henry. ‘Harry to Harry shall, hot horse to horse,/ Meet and ne’er part till one drop down a corpse.’ Shakespeare introduces the theme of doubles between the two contenders; both alike in their valour and youth with different outlooks, Hal a wastrel, Hotspur a hero. Hal is a realist masquerading as a commoner to learn the ways of his people but held in distain by the court. Hotspur is an idealist driven by honour and glory, well respected by the King. The 16th Century audience were apprehensive about the successor to Elizabeth and believed Hal to be the rightful heir in the eyes of God. Despite his reputation the audience recognised he would transform into the ideal monarch because he understood it was his duty to become the leader the country needed.

Shakespeare crafts Hotspur’s single minded, heroic character in act one of 1 Henry lV when Hotspur  describes Henry’s messenger as ’perfumed like a milliner,’ ‘a popinjay,’ illustrating his impatience with courtly attire and formalities, he criticises those who speak in ’mincing poetry.’ Hotspur explains that he refused the messenger prisoners because he was ‘so cowardly,’ providing an insight into Hotspur’s masculine and aggressive nature, a soldier with no time for cowardice or courtly behaviour. Hotspur is a warrior on the battlefield capturing prisoners and courageous when he tells Northumberland he ‘will not send them’ to the King. Referred to by Douglas as ‘the king of honour’ and Hal as ‘a very valiant rebel.’ Hotspur is passionate about his cause. The Elizabethan audience would have appreciated his chivalric values which were fading in the 16th century; they would also have appreciated Hal acknowledging the attributes of his enemy, a humble and heroic act.  

Hotspur fantasises that he rescues honour ‘pluck up drowned honour by the locks,’ but to be truly honourable the glory must be ‘without corrival.’ Hotspur seeks honour for himself alone not for the benefit of others, his dying words on the battlefield demonstrate he values honour above life when he tells Hal ‘I better brook the loss of brittle life/ Than those proud titles thou hast won of me.’ Garber (1) highlights Hotspur’s lack of leadership qualities ‘although a great hero, he is too impatient to speak or to listen…he has no time to read letters sent on the eve of battle’ and subsequently his men die fighting an impossible battle. In the tavern Hal highlights Hotspur’s immaturity, ’I am not yet of Percy’s mind…he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast.’ Hal is a true leader recognising human life must be treated with respect not taken as a badge of honour.

In direct comparison to Hotspur’s romantic vision of heroism, the calculating approach of Hal and Richard to gain the throne is revealed to the audience in the opening soliloquy of both plays. Hal exposes a complex mind which has ‘permit the base contagious clouds/ To smother up his beauty from the world,’ explaining to the audience his bad behaviour conceals his true purpose and the contempt he feels for his companions. Hal believes that ‘when this loose behaviour I throw off,’ the miraculous change from reprobate to hero will unfold, ‘my reformation,…Shall show more goodly, and attract more eyes/ Than that which hath no foil.’ Hal will rise from the slums to his rightful place as heir making him appear more virtuous and powerful. Hal is an actor, temporarily prepared to bring shame on his father to win the people’s love and become the ideal monarch.

When Henry talks to Hal of his duty in act three he emphasises that as a leader Hal should be ‘seldom seen’ by the people, limiting his contact with the public to gain respect. Henry demonstrates that most leaders resort to subterfuge and disguise, not solely heroic acts when he advises Hal ‘I stole all courtesy from heaven’,’I did pluck allegiance from men’s hearts.’  The 16th century audience were anxious about Elizabeth’s successor to the throne and they would have been attracted by the knowledge that Hal would transform into a great King because his country needed him. Nuttall (2) describes Hal as ‘the King with the common touch.’ Living amongst his people would inspire loyalty from the Elizabethan audience who had little opportunity to mix with nobles. Hal’s decision to follow his own beliefs despite his father’s advice illustrates his heroic qualities.