How Does Abraham Lincoln's Influence On Character And Reputation

“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing” (Abraham Lincoln). In this quotation, Abraham Lincoln compares a tree and its shadow to a person's character and reputation. Abraham Lincoln explains that a person’s reputation can change, just like a tree’s shadow, but the tree itself is constant and true to its nature. Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s play, King Henry IV, Part 1, Falstaff presents himself as a responsible and trustworthy friend, although there is more than meets the eye to this complex character. In front of others, he says he will be a noble and caring leader, but on his own, he reveals that he is focused on his personal advancement rather than the
good of the kingdom. In the play, King Henry IV, Part 1, by William Shakespeare, Falstaff embodies a self-centered mentality which is shown by his cowardly actions in the face of danger, willingness to disrespect authority, and unique political views which causes the audience members to compare and contrast their views of honor and what they would really do in a high stress situation with Falstaff’s actions.
Falstaff’s cowardly actions in the face of danger are shown when he fakes his death, stabs Hotspur’s dead body, and claims to have fought and killed Hotspur, causing the audience members to contrast their views of honor to what they would really do in a high stress situation. For example, after Falstaff fights with Douglas, he falls as if he is dead, and Hal, thinking that Falstaff is dead, says:
What, old acquaintance! Could not all this flesh
Keep in a little life? Poor Jack, farewell!
I could have better spared a better man:
O’ I should have a heavy miss of thee,
If I were much in love with vanity!
Death hath not struck so fat a deer to-day,
Though many dearer, in this bloody fray.
Embowell’d will I see thee by and by:
Till then in blood by noble Percy lie (5.4.102-110).
Hal’s funeral speech for Falstaff demonstrates that Hal will miss Falstaff more than he deserves because of Falstaff’s foolishness. Falstaff fakes his death to avoid being killed by Douglas, which shows that he cares about his life more than having “honor” in battle. In addition, after hearing Hal’s speech over his body, Falstaff rises to his feet, saying:
Embowelled! If thou embowel me to-day, I’ll give you leave to powder me and cat . . .
Therefore I’ll make him sure; yea, and I’ll swear I killed him. Why may not he rise as well as
I? Nothing confutes me but eyes, and nobody sees me. Therefore, sirrah [stabbing him], with a new wound in your thigh, come you along with me (5.4.111-129).
The thought of being disemboweled, or being cut open and removing the internal organs of, causes Falstaff to wake up, and he stabs Hotspur’s dead body in fear of Hotspur still being alive. Falstaff fears death and commits cowardly actions in dangerous situations to avoid it, which shows that he does not believe in the cause of the battle and has a different perspective of honor. Furthermore, Hal and John are shocked that Falstaff is alive, and Falstaff tells them how he killed Hotspur:
Didst thou?
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying! I grant you I was down and out of breath; and so was he: but we rose both at an instant and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock. If I may be believed, so; if not, let them that should reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads. I’ll take it upon my death, I gave him this wound in the thigh: if the man were alive and would deny it, ’zounds, I would make him eat a piece of my sword (5.4.147-155).
Falstaff makes up a tale in which he fights and kills Hotspur after Hal leaves Hotspur. Falstaff tries to get the credit of killing Hotspur, and his cowardice prevents him from committing an honorable deed himself. Thus, Falstaff’s cowardly actions in the face of danger are shown when he fakes his death, stabs Hotspur’s dead body, and claims to have fought and killed Hotspur, because he fears death and cares only about himself, and this causes the audience members to rethink on how they would act in Falstaff’s
situation.
Falstaff’s willingness to disrespect authority is shown when he sacrifices the quality of his army for money, refuses to pay his tab at the tavern, and is reluctant to lend the prince his sword, in order to save himself, causing the audiences to contrast Falstaff’s view of honor with their own. For example, when the prince finds a tavern tab in Falstaff’s pocket, he promises, “I’ll procure this fat rogue a charge of foot; and I know his death will be a march of twelve-score. The money shall be paid back with advantage” (2.4.548-551). The Prince uncovers a secret that Falstaff has been holding a running tab in the tavern, and the amount he owes continues to run up, putting himself in debt. On the surface it seems that Falstaff is being unfairly stubborn, but in reality he has no money to pay his tab with, rather he is just trying to take care of himself, probably similar to how the audience would act in this situation. In addition, when Falstaff explains to the audience what he has done with his power as a general, he says “I have misused the king’s press damnably. I have got, in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers, three hundred and odd pounds” (4.2.12-14). In this quotation, we can see that Falstaff has misused his power, and as a result, allowed soldiers to buy their way out of fighting, leading falstaff to make a much needed profit, but his army to become weaker. Although at first glance this may seem like a very cowardly act of abusing his power, upon looking deeper we see that Falstaff is just trying to make some money and get back into financial stability. Finally, when in the middle of battle, the Prince speaks to Falstaff, saying,
PRINCE. I prithee, lend me thy sword
FALSTAFF. Nay, before God, Hal, if Percy be alive, thou get’st not my sword” (5.3.48-50). When asked to give his sword to the Prince, Falstaff responds with a resounding “no”, saying that if the enemy is still alive, he wants to be able to defend himself and fend for his life.
Although many stories lead us to believe that the army would instantaneously sacrifice their life for their leader, Falstaff, along with many of the audience members, would rather live another day than die a noble death. Overall, while common belief makes us think that it would be easy to submit to a ruler during hard times, many of us are more concerned about living another day rather than being loyal to the kingdom.
In the play, Falstaff's unique political beliefs are shown when he portrays his view of honor, talks poorly to a royal figure, and treats women as possessions. For instance, when Falstaff delivers his view on honor to the Prince, he states:
Well, ’tis no matter;
Honour pricks me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come on? how then? Can honour set to a leg? no: Or an arm? no. Or take away the grief of a
wound?
no. Honour hath no skill in surgery, then? no (2.1.129-134).
According to Falstaff, honor is not as outstanding as many believe, but rather something not worth mentioning. He does not agree with the common understanding of honor and in fact, believes it is the exact opposite, as being an honorable person does not help solve anything. Additionally, as he talks to Prince Hal, he says:
How! the Prince is a jack, a neak-cup:
'sblood, an he were here, I would cudgel him like a dog, if he would say so (3.3.86-88).
Unlike the common belief, when talking about the Prince, Falstaff believes it is acceptable to talk about royalty in an ill and mean spirited manner because he views himself as equal to or better than the Prince. Falstaff displays his view of honor in this excerpt by showing that even though he is talking to royalty, they are both equal to each other. Furthermore, while in argument with the hostess at the tavern, he yells:
There’s no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune; nor no more truth in thee than in drawn fox, and for womanhood, Maid Marian may be the deputy’s wife of the ward to thee. Go, you thing, go (3.3.113-117).
When it comes to
women,
Fallstaff treats them as property and belittles them rather than treating them properly and respectfully. His idea of how women should be treated strays far from the common outlook on the topic and therefore, gives him a unique viewpoint on the matter. To conclude, Falstaff's understanding of many topics are unique to what others think and would encourage them to reassess their views of honor and the correct standpoint on these issues.
Falstaff’s words and actions cause the audience to reassess the traditional meaning of honor. For example, Sophocles shows the traditional view of honor and he states, “I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating”(Sophocles).The traditional view of honor is when a person is brave and diligent in the face of danger, and respectful when it is necessary, then that person gains honor. Falstaff does not show the attributes of a honorable man in the eyes of traditional honor because he believes that honor is worthless, so he makes his own. In addition, Falstaff is left alone and says,
What is honor? A word. What is in that word “honor”? What is that “honor”? Air. A trim reckoning. Who hath it? He that died o' Wednesday. Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. 'Tis insensible, then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? no… Therefore, I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon; and so it ends my catechism. (5.1.134-141 Shakespeare). Falstaff says that he does not care for honor, he thinks that honor is meaningless and is just a title, and the only people who have it are the dead so he does not want any of it. Falstaff’s unique views on honor challenges how people view honor and make them think if honor is a good reason to give your life for. Furthermore, the book is explaining the scene and says, “Falstaff is left alone on the stage and makes an important speech … and invites us to think about the meaning of honor”(143 McMahon). This outside opinion tells readers that the play is challenging the audience to think about what they are hearing from Falstaff. The stage is inviting the audience to think about what Falstaff has just said, and to think if a thing like honor is something they are willing to die for. Falstaff uses his words to convey a mindfulness to make people wonder about what honor really is and if it is just a title, then why should they want it.
In the play, King Henry IV, Part 1, by William Shakespeare, Falstaff causes the audience to contrast their traditional views of honor due to his dastardly actions, bold choices against authority, and unique political views. Falstaff uses his actions and words to counteract the conventional view of honor. The reader’s view of honor consists of a person being courageous and audacious when confronted with a threat, Falstaff challenges this view and causes the readers to think about the true meaning of honor. In history, there are many stories of people being honorable and risking their life to save others, but no stories of cowardly acts to save one’s own skin. It is first nature for Falstaff to protect himself rather than to be honorable in battle. When judging or ridiculing one for their selfish or cowardly actions in times of adversity, we need to think if we would really be willing to risk our lives for a cause we don’t believe in. “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).