Prince Hal
Henry IV, Part 1
Henry IV Part 2
Prince of Wales, Son of King Henry IV, and the future Henry V.
Notes on Prince Hal
Tinker, Soldier, Broker, Bridegroom
Read the NoteMost metaphors are obvious, as when Buckingham speaks of Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII:
“This butcher’s cur is venomed-mouthed, and I
Have not the power to muzzle him; therefore best
Not wake him in his slumber.”
But Shakespeare sometimes more subtly invoked metaphor through the selective choice of vocabulary.
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Quotes spoken by the character Prince Hal
Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?
Read the QuoteFalstaff
Now, Hal, what time of day is it, lad?
Prince Hal
Thou art so fat-witted with drinking of old
sack, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and
sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast
forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst
truly know. What a devil hast thou to do with
the time of the day?
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Thou hast the most unsavory similes
Read the QuoteFalstaff
Thou hast the most unsavory similes, and
art indeed the most comparative, rascaliest, sweet
young prince.
Before I knew thee, Hal, I knew nothing, and now
am I, if a man should speak truly, little better than
one of the wicked.
But, Hal, I prithee trouble me no
more with vanity. I would to God thou and I knew
where a commodity of good names were to be
bought.
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Poins!—Now shall we know if Gadshill have set a match
Read the QuoteFalstaff
Poins!—Now shall we know if Gadshill have set a
match. O, if men were to be saved by merit, what
hole in hell were hot enough for him? This is the
most omnipotent villain that ever cried “Stand!” to
a true man.
Prince Hal
Good morrow, Ned.
Sir John stands to his word.
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I know you all, and will awhile uphold
Read the QuoteI know you all, and will awhile uphold
The unyoked humor of your idleness.
Yet herein will I imitate the sun,
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother up his beauty from the world,
That, when he please again to be himself,
Being wanted, he may be more wondered at
By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
Of vapors that did seem to strangle him.
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Before God, I am exceeding weary.
Read the QuotePrince Hal
Before God, I am exceeding weary.
Poins
Is ’t come to that? I had thought weariness durst
not have attached one of so high blood.
Prince Hal
Faith, it does me, though it discolors the complexion
of my greatness to acknowledge it. Doth it
not show vilely in me to desire small beer?
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I am accursed to rob in that thief’s company
Read the QuoteFalstaff
I am accursed to rob in that thief’s company.
The rascal hath removed my horse and tied him I
know not where. If I travel but four foot by the
square further afoot, I shall break my wind. Well, I
doubt not but to die a fair death for all this, if I
’scape hanging for killing that rogue.
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And how doth thy master, Bardolph?
Read the QuotePrince Hal
And how doth thy master, Bardolph?
Bardolph
Well, my good lord. He heard of your
Grace’s coming to town. There’s a letter for you.
He gives the Prince a paper.
Poins
Delivered with good respect. And how doth the
Martlemas your master?
Bardolph
In bodily health,
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Where hast been, Hal?
Read the QuotePoins
Where hast been, Hal?
Prince Hal
With three or four loggerheads amongst three
or fourscore hogsheads. I have sounded the very
bass string of humility. Sirrah, I am sworn brother
to a leash of drawers, and can call them all by their
Christian names, as Tom, Dick, and Francis.
To conclude,
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I am now of all humors
Read the QuotePrince Hal
I am now of all humors that have showed
themselves humors since the old days of Goodman
Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve
o’clock at midnight.
Enter Francis, in haste.
What’s o’clock, Francis?
Francis
Anon, anon, sir. Francis exits.
I am not yet of Percy’s mind,
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O monstrous! Eleven buckram men grown out of two!
Read the QuotePrince Hal
O monstrous! Eleven buckram men grown out
of two!
Falstaff
But as the devil would have it, three misbegotten
knaves in Kendal green came at my back,
and let drive at me, for it was so dark, Hal, that thou
couldst not see thy hand.
These lies are like their father that begets
them,
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