Henry  IV,  Part  1     2012 VCAA exam i. “Thou art not what thou seemest.” ‘Playing a part is the only way to gain power in Henry IV, Part I.’ Discuss. OR ii. ‘Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I explores what it means to be an honest and honourable man.’ Discuss.  

2013  Practice  Essay  Questions      

1. “And  then  I  stole  all  courtesy  from  heaven,  And  dressed  myself  in  such  humility  That  I  did  pluck  allegiance  from  men's  hearts”  ‘Shakespeare's  Henry  IV,  Part  1  suggests  that  the  best  leaders  are  more  concerned  with  seeming  honourable  than  being  honourable’.  Discuss.    

 2.  “I  do,  I  will.”    

‘Hal  is  ultimately  too  cold  to  be  considered  a  good  man  or  a  good  monarch’.  Do  you  agree?  

 3.  ‘The  Hal  we  see  at  the  start  of  the  play  is  much  different  to  the  one  we  see  at  the  end.  ’  

To  what  extent  do  you  agree?    

4.  ‘Though  Falstaff’s  antics  are  humorous,  his  significance  in  Henry  IV,  Part  1  extends  beyond  comic  relief’.    Discuss  

 5.  ‘Henry  IV,  Part  1  suggests  that  power  is  always  gained  at  a  cost.’  Discuss  

 6.  ‘In  Henry  IV  Part  1,  the  most  attractive  characters  are  the  most  irresponsible,’  Discuss.  

 7. ‘By  the  end  of  the  play,  Hal  offers  an  example  of  perfect  conduct  that  no  other  character  

can  match.’  Do  you  agree?    

8.  “So  shaken  as  we  are,  so  wan  with  care”  To  what  extent  are  King  Henry’s  concerns  diminished  by  the  end  of  the  play?    

9.  ‘In  Henry  IV  Part  I,  nobody  is  ever  truly  what  they  seem.’  To  what  extent  do  you  agree?    

10.  “for  I  will  ease  my  heart,  Albeit  I  make  a  hazard  of  my  head”  ‘It  is  Hotspur’s  hot-­‐headed  impetuosity  that  brings  him  undone’.  To  what  extent  do  you  agree?