Henry IV, Part II · Chapter
Scene II explained
Falstaff, with his page, engages in witty banter and evades the Lord Chief Justice, who confronts him about his past misdeeds and his influence on Prince Hal.
What happens
Falstaff, with his page, engages in witty banter and evades the Lord Chief Justice, who confronts him about his past misdeeds and his influence on Prince Hal. Falstaff deflects with humor and wordplay, ultimately revealing he is bound for military service against the rebels.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
Falstaff and the Lord Chief Justice debate honor, with Falstaff using his Shrewsbury service to deflect criticism of his past actions.
Age and Youth
The exchange highlights the contrast between Falstaff's claim to youth and the Chief Justice's enumeration of his physical signs of age.
Deception and Rumor
Falstaff feigns deafness and uses wordplay to avoid direct answers, embodying deception in his interactions.
Characters to notice
- Sir John Falstaff
Falstaff engages in verbal sparring with the Lord Chief Justice, defending his reputation and mocking age and authority.
- Lord Chief Justice
The Lord Chief Justice confronts Falstaff about his past crimes and his corrupting influence on Prince Hal, but ultimately lets him go.
- Falstaff's Page
Falstaff's page delivers messages and reports on the doctor's diagnosis and Bardolph's errand.
- Prince Harry
Mentioned as the prince who struck the Lord Chief Justice and whom Falstaff claims to have 'checked' for it.
- Bardolph
Mentioned as having gone to Smithfield to buy a horse for Falstaff.
Key passages
“I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.”
I am not just witty myself, but I inspire wit in others.
Falstaff boasts about his own cleverness and his effect on those around him.
“You follow the young prince up and down, like his ill angel.”
You follow the young prince everywhere, like his bad influence.
The Lord Chief Justice accuses Falstaff of corrupting Prince Hal.
“I am only old in judgment and understanding; and he that will caper with me for a thousand marks, let him lend me the money, and have at him!”
I am only old in wisdom; anyone who wants to compete with me for a thousand marks should lend me the money and try.
Falstaff defends his youthfulness and challenges others to match him, albeit with a humorous request for a loan.