Final Article Summary For Shakespeare YAY

Mandi Allen

King Henry IV article Summary

Summary of Rubinstein, E. "I Henry IV: The Metaphor of Liability." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, Vol. 10, No. 2. (Spring 1970) pp. 287-295

Summary:

While reading the article The Metaphor of Liability, Rubinstein repeatedly addresses lines and conversations between characters that show how liability is brought up numerous times throughout the play. This article specifically makes it clear for readers to understand the moral nature of each individual character’s. Most of the characters in the play know the traditional standards of liability, for example, paying back your money you owe, trusting one another, being consistent in what you do and hold honor to your name. Rubinstein uses the Prince, Hal, as a perfect example of someone who is trustworthy, and by his example you are able to compare the un-liable and untrustworthy qualities that some of the other characters contain, such as, Falstaff and Hal’s father, King Henry.  These characteristics of each individual outline the central theme of the play. Although the characters who are untrustworthy and un-liable know they are doing wrong, they are also aware of their obligations. A good example of someone who knows of his obligations is Falstaff. Throughout the play you are able to observe his dishonestly, he is a thief, and although he knows he has debt to pay he is clever with his words in finding a way to get out of his situations. As stated in the beginning of this summary Rubinstein repeatedly addresses lines and conversations between characters to show liability, however, he also shows how you can tell each characters personality and liability through their obligations.

Response:

I chose to read this article because I felt like this was something new and interesting. While reading King Henry IV and also watching the movie, I did not recognize the lines or conversations between the characters that would show the difference in liability between them. I really enjoyed this article by Rubinstein. I felt like it is an important topic that most people would not be able to find on their own. It is true that you can find different personalities in people when you find out about how they are with their obligations. This is something people deal with everyday. Overall, Rubinstein was clear and precise in his article; he used good examples in the play that made it very easy to understand.