"And is not this an honorable spoil?
A gallant prize? Ha, cousin, is it not?"
This is the first mention of "honor" in the play, which will become one of its central themes. Here, King Henry IV celebrates the military success of Hotspur and refers to the prisoners he has taken as an "honorable spoil" and "gallant prize." These descriptors actually have two meanings, as King Henry suggests that Hotspur himself is honorable for having acquired the prisoners while also implying that the prisoners themselves are "gallant" and "honorable" – meaning men of noble birth.
"I'll so offend, to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will."
In a somewhat surprising monologue early in the play, Prince Hal addresses the audience directly, explaining that all of his debauchery and antics are in fact a calculated decision to boost his royal reputation when the time comes. Here, he affirms that he will continue his course so that, when he becomes king, the people will be so impressed by his transformation that they will regard him as a strong ruler. This is perhaps one of the most famous passages from the play, as it directly foreshadows the events of Henry V, when Hal (now King Henry V) is an ambitious, democratic, and triumphant monarch.
"Marry, then, sweet wag, when thou art king,
let not us that are squires of the night's body be
called thieves of the day's beauty."
Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's most beloved characters for a reason: as a disgraced, often drunk knight with a penchant for thievery, his rhetorical skill is both surprising and charming. In this quotation, Falstaff jokingly asks Prince Hal to consider him and his comrades "squires of the night's body" rather than common thieves. This quotation suggests that Falstaff is well aware of his social position and reputation and that he does not take himself too seriously.
"By heaven, methinks it were an easy leap
To pluck bright honor from the pale-faced moon,
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honor by the locks,
So he that doth redeem her thence might wear
Without corrival, all her dignities."
In this quotation, Hotspur demonstrates the problem with the concept of "honor" – namely, that it is not considered an abstract notion to every character in the play, but that it appears to some characters as a literal and tangible thing. In this case, Hotspur sees honor as a prize to be won, as he compares it to a damsel in distress who must be saved. This quotation highlights Hotspur's focus on the end goal (the rebellion and restoration of his family name) rather than the moral implications of his actions. Furthermore, this passage also demonstrates to the audience Hotspur's overconfidence, as he uses a hyperbolic description of traveling to the moon and to the depths of the sea. Many argue that it is Hotspur's overconfidence that leads to his demise.
"Sirrah, I am sworn brother
to a leash of drawers, and can call them all by their
Christian names, as Tom, Dick, and Francis. They
take it already upon their salvation, that though I be
but the prince of Wales, yet I am king of courtesy..."
In this quotation, Prince Hal expands on his claim that his youthful antics are in fact part of a larger strategy to boost his royal reputation. Here, he notes that though he is to inherit the throne, the common men with whom he spends his time regard him as a "man of the people." Indeed, the play suggests that Prince Hal's communion with commoners is precisely what will make him an effective king. Similar sentiments are conveyed in Henry V, when he dresses up as a common soldier in order to better understand and inspire his outnumbered army.
"She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down
And rest your gentle head upon her lap,
And she will sing the song that pleaseth you,
And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep..."
In this quotation, Glendower entreats his son-in-law Mortimer to enjoy the company of his wife (Glendower's daughter). The passage is markedly sensual and soothing, emphasizing the comforts Mortimer has at home and the loving relationship he has with his wife. Within the context of an otherwise hyper-masculine play, however, the fact that Mortimer never makes it to the battlefield suggests that his relationship with his wife has "softened" or "weakened" him to the point of evading classically celebrated male activity.
"Marry, and I am glad of it with all my heart.
I had rather be a kitten and cry 'mew'
Than one of these same meter balladmongers."
In this quotation, Hotspur mocks the Welsh Glendower (who has just noted that he can speak both English and Welsh fluently), while expressing disdain for anyone interested in words, languages, and poetry. The play suggests that Hotspur's disinterest in language and communication (Shakespeare's own profession) comes from his association of these things with femininity and weakness. His disregard for the power of words, along with his overconfidence, is considered one of his fatal flaws.
"Tut, tut, good enough to toss; food for powder,
food for powder. They'll fill a pit as well as
better. Tush, man, mortal men, mortal men."
In this quotation, Falstaff crudely compares the soldiers in the army to "food" for gunpowder, suggesting that their only purpose is to die brutal and anonymous deaths. While this quotation emphasizes Falstaff's nonchalant attitude as a disgraced knight (and in part justifies his ultimate fate of being banished from Hal's court), it also provides a stark contrast to the way that other characters idealize the concept of war. Here, Falstaff crudely but honestly suggests that war is not, as characters like Hotspur see it, an opportunity to prove one's honor, but is instead rife with meaningless violence and senseless death.
"What, is it a time to jest and dally now?"
In the midst of battle, Hal asks Falstaff to use his weapon. Falstaff tells Hal that his weapon will be perfect for "sacking" the oncoming rebel forces, and pulls out a bottle of sweet wine (also known as "sack"). While this was likely a moment of levity for the audience, Hal – caught up in the stakes of the battle – reminds Falstaff that there is a time and place for such jests. In so doing, he foreshadows the path he must take to kingship, which starts with abandoning Falstaff and the antics of his youth.
"Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere,
Nor can one England brook a double reign
Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales."
Just before Hotspur dies, Prince Hal makes this affirmation that England does not have room for two "suns," or two rulers, bolstering his own claim to the throne while simultaneously justifying Hotspur's death. Notably, however, Hal appears to hold himself and Hotspur on equal footing, acknowledging Hotspur's military contributions, valiance, and honor while also affirming that there can still only be one king of England.
