Henry IV, Part One Group

Question:

elliebubbles
elliebubbles
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What is Falstaff's role in Henry IV part one?

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Posted by elliebubbles on Sunday February 18, 2007 at 5:12 AM and tagged with falstaffs role, henry iv, part i.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    His role is essential, and for audiences, almost central. It is also multi-faceted. Most simply, he is an example of a common comic character type from the period, and so he is meant to be funny.

    However, to young Prince Hal, he is a substitute father figure, and one who offers acceptance without the heavy hand of expectations his real father raised.

    Falstaff is also a kind of worldly education; through him Hal learns about common people, and about the darknesses and complexities of the human spirit. In this odd way, Falstaff allows Hal to become a great king.

    Greg

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/henry/36299

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    Posted by gbeatty on Monday February 19, 2007 at 11:35 AM