A Paper on Henry IV Part I

Matthew Butcher
English 412(G)
Dr. Colvin
28 September 1993


Liability

One of the many prevalent metaphors in 1 Henry IV is the

metaphor of liability, the ethical obligations in terms of

financial indebtedness. In the article "1 Henry IV: The

Metaphor of Liability," the author E. Rubinstein expounds upon

this, bringing this metaphor across the whole spectrum of the

play. It tells of the moral nature of the main characters, fixes
the world of the play as one in which practical cunning is

dominant, and serves the purpose of expressing the play's general
sense of time closing in.
Rubinstein shows how the metaphor helps the reader understand the moral nature of the main characters. In light of Prince Hal, this metaphor shows him as one who "can be trusted always to pay off his debts."
So when this loose behavior I throw off,
And pay the debt I never promised,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men's hopes. (I,ii,203-206)

Rubinstein points out the "precise metaphoric relation between tavern debts and the transcendent ethical obligations of his station--the debt which, unlike that of the tavern, he 'never promised,' but which he will most certainly pay." There is one scene mentioned by Rubinstein (I,ii), where Prince Hal has a great "willingness to pay up at the hour of reckoning" of one of his tavern debts. The author relates that this shows how his future kingship is the ultimate test of his understanding of obligations.
One area where Rubinstein considerably excels in his explanations is on this passage from Falstaff:
Bardolph, am I not fallen away vilely since this last
action? Do I not bate? Do I not dwindle? Why, my
skin hangs about me like an old lady's loose gown. I
am withered like an old apple-john. Well, I'll repent, and that suddenly, while I am in some liking; I shall be out of heart shortly, and then I shall have no
strength to repent. An I have not forgotten what the
inside of a church is made of, I am a peppercorn, a
brewer's horse: the inside of a church! Company,
villainous company, hath been the spoil of me.
(III,iii,1-10)

From the above passage, I see no correlation to the them. As far as I'm concerned, there is no "reference to financial liability," Rubinstein's main thesis. He brings this up to show Falstaff's moral immutability in contrast to Hal's "susceptibility to moral influence and moral change." The entire quote above is then, simply, a fundamental contrast so that the author can concentrate on Falstaff. It is excellent background support. The next couple of examples are concerned almost exclusively with Falstaff's accountability.
Rubinstein then moves into the comparisons of the King to Prince Hal. One speech that the author points out rephrases Hal's pledge to face up to the demands of rule.
. . . Therefore lost that title of respect
Which the proud soul ne'er pays but to the proud.
(I,iii,8-9)

The King defines "himself as creditor, thereby stressing the specifically filial import of Hal's vow to live up to his obligations."
The author then delves into his second main theme, in which practical cunning is the key to every triumph. He cites a lot of examples, of a the vocabulary of commerce and the prominence of monetary metaphors. It is "appropriate that the resolution of the war must depend on a young man who can always be trusted to pay his debts." He also notes Hotspur's downfall. "Hotspur's sin was precisely his failure to pay up--to render 'Those prisoners in your Highness' name demanded' (I,iii,22)."
Rubinstein's last point is the sense of time closing in. Every debt has certain time limits. The author again cites many specific examples. Now concentrating on Falstaff, the author pushes his most powerful point, Falstaff's "profoundly anti-aristocratic sense of battle." In a war, debts are paid with lives, and Falstaff is apprehensive of "the fearsome battle that will provide the play's only possible climax and unite in carnage the entire kingdom." Falstaff brings together all the metaphors of liability in the play.
Prince. Why, thou owest God a death. [Exit]
Fal. 'Tis not due yet, I would be loath to pay
him before his day--what need I be so forward
with him that calls not on me? (V,i,126-129)

The different responses define the two men. "The metaphor of liability is employed to demonstrate and vindicate Prince Hal's coming glory."
This article helped me to understand one of the basic underlying themes of 1 Henry IV, a theme which I myself would not have grasped. It enhances my enjoyment of the play. Rubinstein presents sound arguments and conclusions that I couldn't help but to admit to. He did an excellent job.