Henry IV part one and my BIG question
While in Oedipus Rex the idea that humans are products of their environments is supported, in Henry IV part one the opposite can be proven. Prince Hal is not like his relatives and lives an openly dissolute life, one filled with more "common" and coarse people, thievery, sack and frequent visits to bawdy houses. His father bemoans "(you) make me believe that thou art only marked for the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven to punish my mistreadings" (3.2.10-12). He also is confounded as to why Hal's behavior is so far "from the flight of all thy ancestors" (3.2.33). His father remarks that upon the fact that Hal seems to have been born with certain set traits, ones far different from the traits that have been bred in his family. Furthermore, his own brother has taken his shamefully lost place in council and acted properly in regard to his position. His brother, who had a similar environment being raised by the same man, has a personality that is in accordance with the family values. Most importantly, Hal shows that he is not a product of his environment with his first soliloquy revealing that this behavior is a farce. He consciously is choosing to live and play a part in both worlds, "the aristocrat " and "the peasant". This ability to balance could not have been learned in his environment; otherwise he would have followed the pattern and been able to only act as a nobleman.

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