The Errors of Falstaff

The supposed climb and eventual fall of Falstaff is one of the most fascinating in King Henry IV and lends credence to John Wilders’s argument that the characters of this play fall because of their own delusions about themselves and those around them. Falstaff’s blind conviction that his friend, Prince Hal, will place him in a position where he will be well cared for and can continue his pursuits of depravity stems mostly from his own inability to read Prince Hal. Therefore, he brings upon himself his own downfall and disillusionment. His own ineptitude in truly knowing who Hal is, his cowardice during the battle against Hotspur, lies, and thievery, sealed his fate long ago.

Falstaff is given indications during his conversations with Hal that he will not be by Hal’s side, and through ignorance, as John Wilders agrees, he continues to have the “impression that Hal is a profligate” despite Hal’s denial of this (281). This is evident when they are conversing and Falstaff tells him not to hang a thief when he is king, to which Hal replies that he, Falstaff, will hang, and Falstaff, either by accident or design, misunderstands and thinks he will have the duty of a hangman and quips, “I’ll be a brave judge.” (1KHIV 1.2.55) Once again, Hal gives him a hint with his first reply of “Thou judgest false already” (1.2.56). However, Falstaff continues to be oblivious to his fate. More evidence of this is when he and Hal decide to engage in a game of role-playing, and Hal, playing his father the king, berates Falstaff, who is playing Hal, for continuing to associate with Falstaff. Falstaff answers that to banish him is to banish the whole world, and Hal decrees, “I do, I will.” (2.4.429)

Another reason that Prince Hal abandons Falstaff is the latter’s propensity for lying, as well as his lack of courage. His lies extend even onto the battlefield when they are fighting the rebels. Falstaff runs into Prince Hal and blithely lies that he has “never did such deeds in arms” and even claims that he has already slain Hotspur (5.3.44). His fear is clear when, later during the battle, he pretends to be slain by Douglas. Then later, after Prince Hal has left and returns, attempts to take credit for the death of Hotspur (whom Prince Hal actually killed himself) and even goes so far as to say that he looks for Prince Hal’s father to make him an “earl or duke” (5.5.137). Therefore, it’s understandable that John Wilders declares that Falstaff and others in the play view people “subjectively according to their own characters and situations” which is the cause for their ruin (278). Falstaff may be an entertaining friend to have at a tavern, but he is not someone anyone would want in a position of power. He would rob, lie and cause insurmountable destruction to the throne, and Hal plainly sees what Falstaff is even if it is not reciprocated and this is why Falstaff will not be following Hal in his ascension. He has no inclination to fight (in battle) for his friend, Prince Hal, and if Hal is to take the throne he needs friends who are loyal and will stand beside him through both times of peace and of war, and it’s obvious to all that Falstaff is no such friend.