Henry IV – Falstaff and the King Henry

Throughout play Henry IV: in Part I, there are so many similarities between the characters. Falstaff and King Henry are two of the characters that particularly seem to be alike. Shakespeare demonstrated their common traits in many ways that are either subtle or not-so-subtle. Whereas Falstaff appears to accept himself for whatever he is, it is the king who seems to be occupied in his image as great ruler and therefore will not admit to be anything else lesser than great.

Henry IV – Falstaff and the King Henry

At first the characters of the King and Falstaff seem as if they are diametrically opposes opposites in the terms of personality yet they have many common traits. Falstaff is a thief who even admits to be a robber who steals purses and in fact at one point he is pursued by the Sherriff. The also is a thief; rather than rob purses from the travelers, he stole entire empire from Richard II who he also murdered. The two behave in the same way in the ways they deal with other people especially in uncomfortable circumstances. It is well known how often Falstaff works his way out of the unpleasant situations only using his wit.

Henry IV – Falstaff and the King Henry

The King modifies his behavior continuously to suit occasions such as when was dealing with Hotspur and opposing Vassals or when he contends with Hal at royal court. To a great extent, Both the King and Falstaff live by sharpness of their minds: Falstaff as criminal while the King lives as a politician. The view of bravery is another similar aspect about these two characters. The King and Falstaff believe in the theory that avoiding danger thus avoiding possibility of harm is better that taking risks. This is what Falstaff does on several occasions like during the battle when he pretended to be dead to avoid injury.

Henry IV – Falstaff and the King Henry

The King used similar tactics at this same battle when he a high number of his fighters disguised to resemble him thus making it hard to find him. These ways are what make Falstaff and the King to be alike; it would seem that the only real differences between the two are in the way they view themselves. A thief and politician can be said to possess many things in common. The similarities between the King and Falstaff seems ironic when they are shown against their sharply different outward appearances.
The close comparison a politician to a common thief seems to indicate that the only difference among them is the way they perceive their images and about the way they perform their tasks. Because Falstaff admits to being a thief but he King does not, it can be said that it is Falstaff who is more honest to himself than even the King is. Therefore, Falstaff and the King make an interesting comparison.