Speech Analysis on Henry IV, Part One - Act 3, Scene 2

Henry IV's lecture to Hal in 3.2 provides the audience with much more than an example of Henry's relationship with his son. It also serves as an examination of the kingship and its changing role. Henry's attempts to criticize Hal inadvertently draw many parallels between him; his son, and his predecessor, Richard II, and while he intends to reveal Hal's shortcomings, he primarily reveals his own. He begins by criticizing Hal's choice of associates, namely the …

…ways, he is exactly the same. In both plays, including the play named after him, he is a secondary character, or an instrument rather than the main focus of the play. He serves primarily as a counterpoint and measuring stick by which we examine Richard and Hal, and it is only through a close examination of some of the things he says that we are truly able to gain an insight into his own character.