Henry IV Part I

In regards to what individuals turn to in times of struggle, the characters in Henry IV vary in their tactics. Falstaff turns to alcohol and food, always having fun, never taking anything seriously. On the other hand, Hal, when he realizes he must finally step up to the plate, takes on the responsibility that is expected of him and turns to family loyalty. He turns from his previous friends to the stability of his family and his fate as King. It seems as though characters turn to whatever has been the most stable for them throughout their lives. For Falstaff, indulgence and jokery had always proven well for him, and he led a happy carefree life. When things begin to run amuck, he returns to his 'foolish' ways, the habits he has always know. While Hal ran around with the pub crawlers for quite sometime, his family and fate was always well known to him. He knew in the back of his mind that he would one day have to assume his role as King, and when bad times arose, he climbed out of the pit he gotten himself into and latched onto the net of stability that had been woven for him by his father. King Henry gave Hal an opportunity to shine, and Hal knew that if he came through for his father, that he would succeed. Individuals turn to stability when struggle arises. 2) Instead of settling for something less than his dream, Hal avoided being King. He was not at the point where he desired to be king and therefore ran from the opportunity of greatness. This is almost the same as my question but with a different twist. Hal was afraid of the role of King, afraid of failure and therefore ran from the opportunity. It was not the long haul that he hestiated to step into, but the final product.