Something to Muse About: The Hollow Crown's "Henry IV (Part 1)"

The Hollow Crown's "Henry IV (Part 1)" - Hiddleston, You Scallywag!

The gluttonous Falstaff (left) and an intoxicated Prince Hal (right)

In the second instalment of "The Hollow Crown," Henry IV (Part 1), the audience is re-introduced to King Henry IV, who was previously seen in Richard II as claiming the throne for himself and passive-aggressively allowing the overthrown Richard to be murdered. This time around, the role is portrayed by Jeremy Irons, whose portrayal conveys the heaviness of the guilt and self-doubt of the misdeeds of his past. He finds himself further stressed by the Percys, who claim to be owed a debt for the assistance they provided in the overthrowing of Richard II, and the misbehaviour of his first-born and heir to the throne, Prince Hal.

A Prince's Moral Ambiguity

The Prince Hal we see in this play is no Prince Charming. Though he has charm, wit, and a sharp mind, the morality of his actions is often questionable. His actions that are done in jest are often at the expense of others, such as the teasing of the slow bartender, Francis, and the practical joke on Falstaff. We also learn early on that he claims to be associating with low-lifes and misbehaving so as to impress the kingdom by dramatically reforming his ways, and being highly revered when he becomes King. Is this deceit too morally repugnant for a future King? Is his misbehaviour the result of a lowered morality due to the company he keeps or is he acting selfishly for his own amusement?

Tom Hiddleston's portrayal has many gleaming moments. Fan-favourites may include the Danny-Zuko-like removing and re-dressing of a Thrilleresque red leather jacket, a very real slap from a large-ring-wearing Jeremy Irons, or perhaps the repeated need to duck when passing in and out of a tavern doorway. More seriously, the transformation from playing a mischievous under-achiever engaging in drunken shenanigans to a regal prince that gains honour on the battlefield and in the eyes of his father is achieved spectacularly. A particularly tremendous moment is the shift in Hiddleston's countenance when a joking game of roleplay leads to a heartfelt plea from Falstaff to not ever be banished from Hal's company; the emotion is virtually tangible.

Gluttony at its finest

The character of Falstaff is likely to also leave a lasting impression. He is a boisterous fellow that believes that the common definition of honour is absurd, for what good is honour when one is dead? He is a hedonistic man, seeking only to gain money through theft, and spend it on food, drink, and sex. His lies are wild and self-serving. Even when caught in a lie, his quick wit and ability for twisting words are immediately used to manipulate the situation to his advantage. Simon Russell Beale's performance is not only strong in delivery, but in physicality. Beale brings one of Shakespeare's most famous comedic characters to life in spectacular form.

Facetious Queries

- What does a person need to do to get their hands on their own red leather jacket of such fine quality?
- Was Tom Hiddleston asked to tone down the accuracy of his Jeremy Irons impersonation due to his skilled impersonation-abilities?
- Is there a massive warehouse with a ton of crowns lying in wait to be used or perhaps some sort of crown-making factory hidden somewhere in London used by the BBC for all its period pieces?
- Was that tavern girl telepathic? How did she know to climb atop Prince Hal as a means of misdirection?
- The lengthy post-robbery scene in the tavern showed a highly damp Prince Hal; did someone have to run around spritzing Tom Hiddleston to maintain an optimum level of dampness?