Something to Muse About: William Shakespeare

Prince Hal (Tom Hiddleston) transitions from mischievous prince to noble King.

Previously, on The Hollow Crown...

At the end of Henry IV (Part 1), we saw that Prince Hal had made the decision to cast aside the misbehaviour he had developed a reputation for, and prove himself worthy of the throne to not only his father but the entire kingdom. In Henry IV (Part 2), he struggles with the growing pains of making these changes and finds himself between two worlds incompatible with one another.

Move on up

In an early scene, we find Prince Hal (glistening) in a steam room after the battle in which he killed Hotspur. He expresses concerns about having contact with such lowly common folk, including Poins, to whom he is speaking. Poins does not seem particularly phased by the insults, perhaps as a result of conditioning to abide by a social hierarchy in which Hal is vastly high above him. This disregard for the common folk he once treated as friends may be seen as a symptom of his transition into the elitism of nobility.

Following this, Prince Hal and Poins proceed to visit the Boar's Head Tavern in order to play yet another prank on Falstaff. They decide to spy on him, and eavesdrop on his private conversations. The prank seems to echo the events in Henry IV (Part 1), but the outcome is drastically different. What they overhear is Falstaff speaking ill of Hal. Instead of ending in cheerful banter, and shared drinks, the confrontation further strains the relationship between Hal and Falstaff. This stark contrast from the previous instalment demonstrates the progression and evolution of Hal. Hiddleston is presented with an opportunity to emote in a far more serious manner, which he delivers magnificently.

Burning out

At the start of Henry IV (Part 2), we see Falstaff reaping the benefits of his false claims of killing Hotspur. Not only are his clothes lavish, but he has gained a page boy to run errands on his behalf. His character has not improved, though his ego has perhaps been further inflated. When Mistress Quickly attempts to get Falstaff to repay the debts that he owes her, not only does he maneuver his way out of being arrested, he is able to coax her into lending him even more money.

This is the final instalment in which we see Beale's brilliant portrayal of Falstaff and the character is even more dynamic than in Part 1. From the usual robust lines and quick puns, to his surprisingly tender interactions with a prostitute named Doll Tearsheet, to the demise of his status, place in the kingdom, and relationship with Hal, Beale delivers a diverse and dynamic performance well-deserving of being immortalised on film.

Before one King rises, another must fall

Another performance that comes to a close is that of Jeremy Iron's Henry IV. The King's dialogue largely refers back to events from Richard II. Northumberland was once a friend of Richard's, before aiding in Henry IV's seizing of the throne. But just as Richard had prophesied, the tables have turned. Northumberland has turned against Henry IV, and now all of the guilt and weight of past transgressions are catalysing the decline in the King's health. Iron's performance is raw and powerful, showing a fear of death and a desire to leave a lasting legacy.

Arguably, the most emotionally potent scene occurs after Prince Hal pays a visit to his father and falsely believes him to be dead. After expressing some touching sentiments, he takes the crown, and sits on the throne with the crown atop his head. His father's apparent death sinks in, and he breaks down into tears. In that moment, we see that the power a crown brings cannot compare to a child's loss of a beloved parent. Hiddleston brings forth a gravitas that is further built upon in the final instalment, Henry V.

The complete series of "The Hollow Crown" is already available for DVD purchase.

Previous post on Richard II:
http://www.museled.com/2013/09/the-hollow-crowns-richard-ii-triumph-in.html

Previous post on Henry IV (Part 1):
http://www.museled.com/2013/10/the-hollow-crowns-henry-iv-part-1.html

Richard II is available for viewing within U.S. territories on the PBS website till October 18:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365083796/

Henry IV (Part 1) is available for viewing within U.S. territories on the PBS website till October 26:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365088720/

Henry IV (Part 2) is available for viewing within U.S. territories on the PBS website till November 5:
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365090800/

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?