Mod B Essay

Question 1

Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence:

Answer 1

In King Henry IV Part I, Shakespeare argues that an illegitimate rule will result in continued civil unrest through King Henry’s immoral deposition of Richard II.

Question 2

Paragraph 1 Context:

Answer 2

The Tudor Myth defines Henry’s usurpation of Richard II in 1400 as illegitimate as he violated the Divine Right of Kings which asserts a rightful rule must be attained through the right of inheritance.

Question 3

Paragraph 1, Quote 1:

Answer 3

“No more the thirsty entrance of this soil/ Shall daub her lips with her own children’s blood,”

Question 4

Paragraph 1, Quote 2:

Answer 4

“this unthankful king, this ingrate and cankered Bolingbroke,”

Question 5

Paragraph 1, Quote 3:

Answer 5

“Strike! Down with them! Cut the villains’ throats!”

Question 6

Paragraph 1, Quote 4:

Answer 6

“every man shall be my friend again”

Question 7

Paragraph 1, Quote 5 (Critic):

Answer 7

“[Henry] is aware that he lacks the divine anointment generally required of royalty, but broaches the question as to whether good governance affords him the right to trust and respect,” - Jennifer Minter

Question 8

Paragraph 1, Quote 6:

Answer 8

“let us not leave till all our own be won,”

Question 9

Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence:

Answer 9

Furthermore, Shakespeare illuminates the dramatic consequences of prioritising personal ambitions over the interests of the nation throughout history through the exploration of Hotspur’s misguided pursuit of honour.

Question 10

Paragraph 2 Context:

Answer 10

In King Henry IV Part I, Shakespeare reflects on the ideas from the rapidly popularising Renaissance Humanist movement that cherished philosophical debate, artistic expression and secularism, thus, signifying a movement away from traditional Codes of Chivalry which formed around the time of the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

Question 11

Paragraph 2, Quote 1:

Answer 11

“Amongst a grove the straightest plant … Sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride”

Question 12

Paragraph 2, Quote 2:

Answer 12

“methinks it were an easy leap/ to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon”

Question 13

Paragraph 2, Quote 3 (Critic):

Answer 13

“qualified to succeed only in the hurly-burly of border warfare, where success comes more by fury of onset than wisdom of plan,” - H.N Hudson, 1889

Question 14

Paragraph 2, Quote 4:

Answer 14

“What is that honour? Air…Who hath it? He that died”

Question 15

Paragraph 2, Quote 5:

Answer 15

“I better brook the loss of brittle life than those proud titles thou hast won of me”

Question 16

Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence:

Answer 16

Finally, King Henry IV Part I examines the intricacies of morality encompassing leadership, suggesting that throughout history, leaders have and must sometimes commit injustices in order to manipulate their public image and adapt to the evolving political climate.

Question 17

Paragraph 3 Context:

Answer 17

Shakespeare explores the fundamental ideas from Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince (1513) in response to the expanding sixteenth-century interest in realpolitik, which suggests that a successful ruler must deceive to maximise power as expressed in “Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”

Question 18

Paragraph 3, Quote 1:

Answer 18

“Yet herein will I imitate the sun, who doth permit the base contagious clouds, to smother up his beauty”

Question 19

Paragraph 3, Quote 3:

Answer 19

“Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury…as if an angel dropped down from the clouds,”

Question 20

Paragraph 3, Quote 4:

Answer 20

“Go to the Douglas and deliver him up to his pleasure, ransomless and free”

Question 21

“No more the thirsty entrance of this soil/ Shall daub her lips with her own children’s blood,”

Answer 21

Shakespeare reflects on this historical event in the King’s opening monologue “No more the thirsty entrance of this soil/ Shall daub her lips with her own children’s blood,” where the personification of England demonstrates the civil unrest arisen from Henry’s unlawful accession.

Question 22

“this unthankful king, this ingrate and cankered Bolingbroke,”

Answer 22

Furthermore, after Hotspur is ordered to give up his prisoners to the King, his metaphor: “this unthankful king, this ingrate and cankered Bolingbroke,” depicts how the King’s breach of primogeniture has spurred the ire even of his supporters.

Question 23

“Strike! Down with them! Cut the villains’ throats!”

Answer 23

Additionally, during the Gadshill robbery, Falstaff’s repeated barbarous imperatives “Strike! Down with them! Cut the villains’ throats!” reflects how the corrupt actions of the King have permeated the social strata through the metatheatrical device of a parallel plot.

Question 24

“every man shall be my friend again”

Answer 24

However, despite the King’s illegitimacy, his attempts to prohibit the Percy rebellion in his hyperbolic claim prior to the Battle of Shrewsbury: “every man shall be my friend again” portrays his inherent desire for peace and to ease the conflict he has created.

Question 25

“[Henry] is aware that he lacks the divine anointment generally required of royalty, but broaches the question as to whether good governance affords him the right to trust and respect,”

Answer 25

This idea is furthered by critic Jennifer Minter who suggests that “[Henry] is aware that he lacks the divine anointment generally required of royalty, but broaches the question as to whether good governance affords him the right to trust and respect,” implying that the King believes his peacemaking actions should result in respect from society.

Question 26

“let us not leave till all our own be won,”

Answer 26

Yet ultimately, King Henry’s optimistic tone in the closing lines following the Battle of Shrewsbury: “let us not leave till all our own be won,” ironically foreshadows continued drama and unrest in response to his deposition of Richard II, despite his victory.

Question 27

“Amongst a grove the straightest plant … Sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride”

Answer 27

This more medieval perception of honour is first expressed in the opening scene by King Henry through the hyperbole “Amongst a grove the straightest plant … Sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride” establishing how King Henry initially perceives Hotspur as the embodiment of honour due to his prowess in battle.

Question 28

“methinks it were an easy leap/ to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon”

Answer 28

Moreover, Hotspur’s claim through the personification: “methinks it were an easy leap/ to pluck bright honour from the pale-faced moon” exhibits his absolutist and impulsive obsession with honour driven by his egocentric personality.

Question 29

“qualified to succeed only in the hurly-burly of border warfare, where success comes more by fury of onset than wisdom of plan,”

Answer 29

This is reinforced by H.N Hudson’s argument from 1889 that Hotspur is: “qualified to succeed only in the hurly-burly of border warfare, where success comes more by fury of onset than wisdom of plan,” thus, characterising Hotspur as an impetuous and irrational leader.

Question 30

“What is that honour? Air…Who hath it? He that died”

Answer 30

During the battle of Shrewsbury, Falstaff’s use of juxtaposition “What is that honour? Air…Who hath it? He that died” argues the worthless nature of honour through a series of hypophora and hence ironically foreshadows Hotspur’s demise as a result of his infatuation with it.

Question 31

“I better brook the loss of brittle life than those proud titles thou hast won of me”

Answer 31

Thus, Hotspur’s final words: “I better brook the loss of brittle life than those proud titles thou hast won of me” metaphorically proves how Hotspur’s idolisation of honour over rational leadership had dramatic consequences which culminated in his demise.

Question 32

“Yet herein will I imitate the sun, who doth permit the base contagious clouds, to smother up his beauty”

Answer 32

Initially, Hal’s characterisation is aligned with these Machiavellian attributes where the extended metaphor “Yet herein will I imitate the sun, who doth permit the base contagious clouds, to smother up his beauty” depicts his use of deception to mould a public persona that will enhance his reputation.

Question 33

“Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury…as if an angel dropped down from the clouds,”

Answer 33

Ultimately, Vernon’s comparison of the Prince to the Roman God Mercury and Christian angels through the simile: “Rise from the ground like feathered Mercury…as if an angel dropped down from the clouds,” portrays how Hal’s Machiavellian approach to leadership by manipulating his social image provokes admiration and respect, even from his enemies.

Question 34

“Go to the Douglas and deliver him up to his pleasure, ransomless and free”

Answer 34

Ultimately, upon his victory over the Percys, Hal’s generosity: “Go to the Douglas and deliver him up to his pleasure, ransomless and free” affirms his leadership style as effective which pairs a strong political diplomacy with his Machiavellian attributes of deception to exert power.

Question 35

Paragraph 3 Quote 2:

Answer 35

“I do; I will”

“Banish plump Jack Falstaff”

Question 36

“I do; I will”

“Banish plump Jack Falstaff”

Answer 36

These Machiavellian attributes are reinforced through Hal’s extempore with Falstaff in Boar Head’s Tavern where his anaphoric reply “I do; I will” to Falstaff’s pleas to not “Banish plump Jack Falstaff” reveals Hal’s Machiavellian ambition to eliminate corruption from his court, illuminating his pragmatic approach to leadership to create a favourable public image.

Question 37

Falstaff Para. Intro:

Answer 37

Shakespeare illuminates the contrast between Hotspur’s pursuit of honour and the behaviour of Falstaff, a comedic character driven by his instinct for corrupt profit, highlighting a variant leadership within the lower social classes of King Henry IV’s changing world.

Question 38

Falstaff Context

Answer 38

The social class divisions of Elizabethan England, pressured Shakespeare to develop an element of comedy to both contrast and critique the elevated political discussion of the play while engaging the mostly lower class members of the audience.

Question 39

Falstaff Quote 1:

Answer 39

“tis my vocation, Hal. ‘Tis no sin / For a man to labour in his vocation.”

Question 40

Falstaff Quote 2:

Answer 40

“banish Peto, banish Bardolph, … but for sweet Jack Falstaff … banish not him thy Harry’s company,”

Question 41

Falstaff Quote 3:

Answer 41

“a commodity of warm slaves”

Question 42

Falstaff Quote 4:

Answer 42

“Honour is a mere scutcheon. And so ends my catechism,”

Question 43

Falstaff Quote 5:

Answer 43

“Falstaff’s catechism, nevertheless quite correctly notes the traditional ‘suspicions’ that the pursuit of honor may lead to dubious results.” - Clifford Davidson

Question 44

“tis my vocation, Hal. ‘Tis no sin / For a man to labour in his vocation.”

Answer 44

Initially, the hypophora from Act 1 Scene 2, “tis my vocation, Hal. ‘Tis no sin / For a man to labour in his vocation.” depicts Falstaff’s acknowledgement of his immorality and lack of honour, hence rejecting the standards of traditional noblemen.

Question 45

“banish Peto, banish Bardolph, … but for sweet Jack Falstaff … banish not him thy Harry’s company,”

Answer 45

Furthering this, the asyndeton, “banish Peto, banish Bardolph, … but for sweet Jack Falstaff … banish not him thy Harry’s company,” demonstrates Falstaff’s instinctive motivation for selfish preservation, as he is willing to sacrifice his companions and lie in order to remain of value to the noble Hal.

Question 46

“a commodity of warm slaves”

Answer 46

Falstaff’s true behaviour can be seen in his exploitation of royal soldiers for profit, metaphorically described as “a commodity of warm slaves”, emphasising Falstaff’s ethical corruption, paralleling how traditional nobility dehumanised the lower class as military servants to fight in wars and die.

Question 47

“Honour is a mere scutcheon. And so ends my catechism,”

Answer 47

Therefore Falstaff’s metaphor that “Honour is a mere scutcheon. And so ends my catechism,” concludes this traditional perception of leadership as a completely heraldic device used at funerals and not necessary for successful leadership.

Question 48

“Falstaff’s catechism, nevertheless quite correctly notes the traditional ‘suspicions’ that the pursuit of honor may lead to dubious results.”

Answer 48

This is reinforced by Clifford Davidson who explains that “Falstaff’s catechism, nevertheless quite correctly notes the traditional ‘suspicions’ that the pursuit of honor may lead to dubious results.”