Henry IV, Part I · Chapter
Scene II explained
Prince Hal and Poins play a trick on Falstaff by hiding his horse and then, after Falstaff and his crew rob some travelers, Hal and Poins rob the thieves themselves, sending them fleeing in fear.
What happens
Prince Hal and Poins play a trick on Falstaff by hiding his horse and then, after Falstaff and his crew rob some travelers, Hal and Poins rob the thieves themselves, sending them fleeing in fear.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Hal and Poins disguise themselves to rob the thieves, while Falstaff's bravado masks his cowardice.
Honor and Reputation
Falstaff's concern about being seen as a coward contrasts with his actual behavior during the robbery.
Characters to notice
- Prince Hal
Plans and executes the trick on Falstaff, then robs the thieves.
- Poins
Helps Hal hide Falstaff's horse and participates in the counter-robbery.
- Falstaff
Frets over his missing horse, participates in the robbery, and flees when Hal and Poins attack.
- Gadshill
Acts as the setter for the robbery, announcing the travelers carrying the king's money.
- Bardolph
Joins the robbery crew and reports the travelers' approach.
- Peto
Part of the robbery crew, asks about the number of travelers.
Key passages
“I have removed Falstaff’s horse, and he frets like a gummed velvet.”
I've taken Falstaff's horse, and he's as agitated as stiffened velvet.
Poins describes Falstaff's irritation at losing his horse.
“If I travel but four foot by the squier further afoot, I shall break my wind.”
If I walk even four more feet, I'll be out of breath.
Falstaff complains about the physical exertion of walking.
“I have forsworn his company hourly any time this two and twenty years, and yet I am bewitched with the rogue’s company.”
I've sworn to leave his company every hour for twenty-two years, but I'm still enchanted by him.
Falstaff admits his contradictory feelings about Poins.
“Eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten miles afoot with me.”
Eight yards of rough ground feels like seventy miles to me on foot.
Falstaff exaggerates his difficulty walking.
“Now could thou and I rob the thieves and go merrily to London, it would be argument for a week, laughter for a month and a good jest for ever.”
If you and I rob the thieves and go happily to London, it will be a story for a week, laughter for a month, and a lasting joke.
Prince Hal proposes the counter-robbery as a great jest.
“Falstaff sweats to death, And lards the lean earth as he walks along.”
Falstaff sweats profusely, greasing the ground as he walks.
Hal humorously describes Falstaff's heavy sweating.