Henry IV, Part One - What is the relationship between Hal and Falstaff?

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1. 
   gbeatty Teacher
   College - Freshman

   There is no one relationship between Hal and Falstaff. Rather, there are several.

   Falstaff fills the position of surrogate father, and one a lot less scary than Hal's real dad.

   Hal and Falstaff are drinking buddies; they enjoy wasting time together.

   Falstaff is a way for Hal to get access to not just the lower classes, but the riffraff of society (thieves, prostitutes, etc.). This is both a kind of slumming and a kind of education for the future king.

   Finally, Falstaff is a kind of dark mirror. Hal wants to shrug off the burden of honor, but he sees in Falstaff the results.
   Greg

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/henry/38542

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   Posted by gbeatty on Monday February 26, 2007 at 8:53 AM