Henry IV Part 1 Language and Communication Quotes Page 2

Here, Hotspur claims that women are loose-tongued and can't keep secrets, which is why he won't share vital information about the rebel uprising with his wife, Kate. The truth is, however, that Hotspur's the one with the big mouth. In the previous passage, we saw Hotspur's father, Northumberland, chide his son for not knowing when to pipe down.

This passage is important insofar as it reveals Hal's capacity for language acquisition. When he brags to his pal that he can "drink with any tinker in his own language," we're reminded that Hal really can speak to anyone. In fact, Hal is the only character in the play that slips in and out of the "low" language spoken by the commoners and Falstaff and the "high" language spoken by nobles at court and on the battlefield. Ever notice the way Hal speaks prose (how we talk everyday) when he's with his Eastcheap pals and poetry when he's alone and with the other nobles? Hal's mastery of language may suggest that he will be a good ruler because he understands and can relate to all the different kinds of people that make up England – tinkers, barmaids, noblemen, and so on. Hotspur, on the other hand, is frequently taken to task for his inability to control language. Even Hotspur's uncle Worcester notes his tendency to alienate his colleagues or, "loseth men's hearts" with his crass and insulting language (3.1.2).

Man, Hotspur is totally out of control. Here, he insults the Welsh Glendower, who has pointed out that he (Glendower) can speak and sing both English and Welsh, unlike Hotspur, who only speaks English. Hotspur's response? He insults Glendower, singers ("metre ballad-mongers"), and "mincing" poetry in one fell swoop. While theater-goers might find themselves snickering behind their hands (we're sure Shakespeare had some fun writing these nasty lines), it also seems pretty clear that Hotspur's aversion to the art of language (Shakespeare's profession) is a major character flaw.