Halstaff

For my part in researching Shakespeare in ways that interest me, I have read Henry IV, Part 1 and looked at relationships between some of the major characters, most often Prince Henry (a.k.a. Hal) and Falstaff. Out of my original three ideas for a paper, I completely scrapped the first one because I felt it wasn't very original and wouldn't be interesting. As of right now, I'm thinking of maybe doing a mix of my context and critical engagement 'protopapers', but I admit I'm unfortunately running into a mild amount of trouble with settling on a thesis. Maybe I'm being too picky.

I do have good substance though! I have researched what has been said before about Prince Hal's tavern life, his life with Falstaff and company. I have also read some about the actual history of Prince Hal before his father deposed King Richard II. It turns out that Prince Hal was a bit of a ransom when Henry Bolingbroke (future Henry IV) was exiled by Richard II. This was to ensure that Bolingbroke would be on good behavior. Even more interesting was the account that Hal may have even seen Richard II as a godfather of sorts.

One chronicle gave an account of Henry (future prince Hal) when his father returned to England. Young Henry was told by his father he needed to leave the king to wait on his father instead. Henry was saddened to leave, this is supplemented by other records which suggest that he was very loyal to King Richard II. With these things in mind, I'm currently thinking I'm going to look at Henry's tavern/rebellion days with Falstaff and show that they were a way to somewhat passively disapprove of his father's usurpation of the crown.

Is Prince Hal thinking that he wishes Richard II was still around?