Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare

Start Your Free Trial

Study Guide
Lesson Plans
- Lesson Plans
- Short-Answer Quizzes
Homework Help

Start Your 48-Hour Free Trial

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

Print
document PDF
Cite

Expert Answers info

Who are the experts?

Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.

gbeatty

| Certified Educator

Educator since 2007

2,654 answers

Top subjects are Literature, History, and Science

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...

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

Approved by eNotes Editorial

Cite
Link

Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare

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

Expert Answers info

Related Questions

Unlock This Answer Now

Ask a Question

Popular Questions

Additional Links