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Celestial Events
Like celestial events, blood functions as a complex symbol in Henry IV Part I. Everyone believes that it represents courage and power, but different characters understand this representation to work in different ways. For the violent-minded warriors Hotspur and Douglas, power comes from shedding the blood of others. They calculate their own power (and evaluate the power of those around them) based on how many enemies they have killed in battle. Yet, for King Henry and Prince Hal, power comes from sparing others’ blood and avoiding violence in favor of treaty-making and effective strategy. Both characters are conspicuously merciful, as King Henry tries multiple times to negotiate peace with Hotspur and Prince Hal frees the war prisoner Douglas at play’s end. It is ultimately King Henry’s and Prince Hal’s understanding of power—power as the intelligent avoidance of bloodshed rather than as muscle-flexing bloodbath—that triumphs in the play.
Blood Quotes in Henry IV Part 1
The Henry IV Part 1 quotes below all refer to the symbol of Blood. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 3, Scene 1
Quotes
…you are too willful-blame;
And since your coming hither have done enough
To put him quite beside his patience.
You must needs learn, lord, to amend this fault:
Though sometimes it shows greatness, courage, blood—
And that’s the dearest grace it renders you,--
Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage,
Defect of manners, want of government,
Pride, haughtiness, opinion and disdain…
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Act 3, Scene 2
Quotes
…I will wear a garment all of blood
And stain my favour in a bloody mask,
Which, wash’d away, shall scour my shame with it.
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Get the entire Henry IV Part 1 LitChart as a printable PDF.
Blood Symbol Timeline in Henry IV Part 1
The timeline below shows where the symbol Blood appears in Henry IV Part 1. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
...Blunt gather with attendants. King Henry announces that, though England has been recently embroiled in bloody civil wars, such battles are, to his great relief, over. England can now focus its...
(full context)
...Hotspur (Henry Percy, son of the Earl of Northumberland), and Archibald (Earl of Douglas) fought bloodily at Holmedon. King Henry replies that he’s heard the outcome of this battle from his...
(full context)
Act 3, Scene 2
...son whose “barren pleasures” and “rude society” are an affront to “the greatness of thy blood.” Prince Hal apologizes and seeks pardon, promising to “purge” himself of his youthful ways.
(full context)
...King Henry’s son by achieving glory. Hal says he “will wear a garment all of blood” and “a bloody mask, which, wash’d away, shall scour my shame with it.” He will,...
(full context)
Act 5, Scene 1
...Hal, Prince John, Sir Walter Blunt, and Falstaff observe the dawn. The king says the blood-red sun looks angry at the day. Prince Hal says the whistling of the southern wind...
(full context)
...deeds to his name, he offers to fight Hotspur one on one “to save the blood on either side” of the rest of the troops.
(full context)
Act 5, Scene 2
...in the mood for battle since he lacks “the gift of tongue” to “lift your blood up with persuasion.” A messenger enters with letters for Hotspur but Hotspur pushes them away,...
(full context)
