Compare and contrast how Shakespeare presents the changing fortunes of Hal and Hotspur
             The main theme of Henry IV Part 1 concerns the changing fortunes of Hal and Hotspur. Hal, at the beginning of the play, is a renegade prince. He can be found drinking in taverns with thieves and commoners. When it appears that Hal has hit the bottom of the barrel we see him reform and he becomes a great leader. Hotspur's journey, however, is quite the opposite. As the play opens he is held in high regard by many and is seen as the "rising star" in the kingdom. Some think the may make a good future king. Unfortunately for Hotspur though, his inordinate desire for honour and his outdated military thinking will be the downfall of him. At Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2, we can see where the two young men's paths cross. Act 3, Scene 1 is the beginning of Hotspur's decline. We see him argue with Glendower and Mortimer over how the kingdom should be divided which would make him very unpopular with Elizabethan audiences, as this was a time in which the country was attempting to unite. We see he is unable to co-operate with the other leaders of the rebellion, giving us an indication that he is indeed a poor leader and that this rebellion being planned will be an unsuccessful one. In contrast to this Act 3, Scene 2 shows Hal seeking forgiveness from his father and receiving it. We know from his earlier soliloquy that Hal genuinely wishes to reform, and the fact that the king, who earlier saw him as a lost cause, accepts his apology means that he has sincerely reformed himself.
             The first comparison we get between the two characters comes in the very first scene of the play. It is the king who makes reference to both of them. We straight away get an impression that "the gallant Hotspur" is seen as a hero in the kingdom. The king is displeased to see that Northumberland has "so blest a son" in Hotspur and that is son, H...