Falstaff And The Prince example essay topic

Nicholas Sine English Honors Period Four January 15, 1997 Sir John Falstaff Humans are addicted to judging others on their first impression. Humans will never read into the book, they just look at the cover. Many people, both fictional and nonfictional can not be judged until you study them. Someone who first appears to be only comic relief, could end up to be a very important character. Sir John Falstaff is but one of these people.

Falstaff's righteousness hides under his vocalization. John Falstaff's character is hard to understand without analyzing his words. He loves to play games with his speech. Falstaff tricks his audience with complex words and phrases.

Often John would win over his opponent by tricking them into saying things that they did not mean or getting them to think that he is not that bad. Falstaff said this in Part I act II scene IV. .".. A question not to be asked. Shall the son of England prove a thief and take purses A question to be asked.

There is a thing, Harry, which thou hast often heard of, and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch. This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile; so doth the company thou keep est. For, Harry, now I do not speak to thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only, but in woes also; and yet there is a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy company, but I know not his name". In this passage, the Prince and Fastaff trade places in speech and try to make the other look dumb.

Fastaff later goes on to say that this wonderful person that the King is talking about. The way Falstaff does this proves him to be very keen. He proves that even though he may look dumb, he will still put up a good fight. Falstaff is very bold about his thought and opinions. He stands out because he is not afraid to think his own way. While most people agree, because of the other people around them, Falstaff chooses to make his own decisions and think for himself.

This is proven when Falstaff and the prince switch places in a verbal fight. Every one else in the book thinks of the Prince as a perfect young man because he is the prince, however Falstaff is too smart for this, he points out that the prince is a thief. This is a prime example of why Falstaff is righteous. Falstaff's righteous characteristics are cloaked by his speech.

Not until you can see behind Falstaff's words can you actually realize what a genius he is. Falstaff looked at problems like no other man in his time. When other main characters in the book were worrying about the negative side of something, Falstaff, almost childishly, would make it humorous. In act II scene IV, Falstaff, through a keen battle of wits with the Prince proves that he is very fond of the Prince and that he is scared of the day the Prince will abandon him. While Falstaff acts like he doesn't care by joking lightly with the subject, others are very serious about the thought of them leaving to war.

A very important part of the book is when Falstaff tells what his thoughts on honor are. He is a rebel by the way he boycotts honor. He does not understand why people will die for something that actually does nothing for them. Falstaff is very loud and will be even rude if that is essential to getting the point he is trying to make to others. .".. Honor pricks me on.

Yea, but how if honor prick me off when I come on How then Can honor set to a leg No. Or and an arm No. Or take away the grief of a wound No. Honor hath no skill in surgery then No. What is honor A word.

What is that word honor What is that honor Air-a trim reckoning! Who hath it He that died a Wednesday. Doth he feel it No. Doth he hear it No. "tis insensible then yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living No.

Why Detraction will not suffer it. Therefore I'll none of it. Honor is a mere scutcheon-and so ends my catechism". In this quote, Falstaff goes brutal about the honor subject to show his opinion. On many occasions in the book, Falstaff would use trick words that when thought out, were very rude, but even still he was able to give a very powerful point to his audience. Falstaff is a very complex character and this may be to a disadvantage to him because people don't always understand him.

However, despite all the ingenious puzzles and games he plays, his true thoughts, feelings, and righteous lie naked to anyone willing to understand them.