Shakespeare

Henry IV Part 1

Jigsaw Activity- Father/Son relationships

Directions: Listen to the Queen song “Father to Son” on the CD player. Follow along with the attached lyrics. As you listen, think about ways this song could be applied to the father/son relationships shown in the play. After you listened to the song, answer the following questions.

1. The lyrics of the song say, “Joyful the sound, the word goes around/ From father to son.” According to the song, what does the father tell his son? (consider lines 3-4, lines 9-10).

2. Do you think the father and son in the song have a good relationship? How do you know? Think about line 26 while answering this question.

3. At this point in Henry IV, the audience gets the feeling that King Henry and Prince Hal have an estranged relationship. Reread the following passages and write how we know this.

Act 1, Scene 1, lines 76-90: 

Act 1, Scene 3, lines 238-241

Act 2, Scene 4, lines 302-303

Act 2, Scene 4, lines 410-431

Act 2, Scene 4, lines 457-463

4. Think about Hal and Falstaff’s relationship. Does Falstaff fit into the mold of a father figure for Hal?

5. In the song, the father gives a letter to his son. Speculate on what might be in a letter from King Henry to Hal. What word or message might Henry want to pass on to his son, the future King of England? Write this in the form of the letter, and be prepared to share and explain your thoughts with your group.