Henry IV, Part One | Hotspur
In the first excerpt, E. M. W. Tillyard argues that while some may consider Hotspur to be the hero of Henry IV, Part One, he is definitely not. Tillyard comments on why people might confuse Hotspur as the play's protagonist, focussing especially on the fact that Shakespeare gave Hotspur's character the play's best poetry to speak. In the second excerpt, Colin Gardner attempts to show how critics have misunderstood Hotspur. Recognizing Hotspur's flaws, Gardner also argues that Hotspur possesses extremely attractive and heroic qualities.
Hotspur has been described by critics as passionate, hot-tempered, and self-centered, among other things. But his sense of honor is the trait that has fueled much of the commentary on his character. While many critics, including Colin Gardner, respect Hotspur's commitment to honor, others believe that he is foolishly obsessed with it. For example, E. M. W. Tillyard argues that from the beginning of the play, Hotspur is almost "ridiculous" because he is unable to control his passions, including his passion for honor. Many critics such as Raymond H. Reno and Derek Cohen are...
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