Henry IV Part 1: Act 3, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis

Hotspur, Worcester, Mortimer, and Glendower gather in a room of the Archdeacon’s house in Bangor, Wales. Hotspur attempts to take charge but can’t find his map. Glendower has his map and takes over, telling Hotspur to sit down. He says the fearful King Henry wishes Hotspur were dead, and Hotspur says the king wishes Glendower were dead as well.

Glendower says it makes sense that King Henry fears him for his birth was marked by fiery celestial portents and a great earthquake, signifying Glendower’s power. Hotspur retorts that such “signs” aren’t signs at all, but just common, natural phenomena that would have occurred whether or not Glendower was born. Glendower insists that the sky was in flames and “the Earth did tremble” in specific announcement of his birth. He elaborates, detailing other portents (such as animals and birds behaving strangely), claiming “these signs have mark’d me extraordinary.” Hotspur continues to scoff at Glendower’s claims and laughs off his uncle’s claims to be able to summon spirits and the Devil, enjoining Glendower to “tell truth, and shame the Devil.”

Mortimer breaks up Glendower and Hotspur’s bickering by calling the men to the map. He shows them the three equal portions the archdeacon has divided the land into: one for Mortimer, one for Glendower, and one for Hotspur. He and Glendower proceed to discuss the next step in their plan: meeting up with troops. Hotspur interrupts to complain that his portion of the land is inferior to Glendower’s and Mortimer’s because of a river cutting his territory off from fertile land. He threatens to damn the river and Glendower forbids him from doing so.

Hotspur and Glendower argue, and Hotspur insults Glendower’s English (Glendower is Welsh). Insulted, Glendower insists he has spoken perfectly refined English since his upbringing in the English court and that his English is far more elegant than Hotspur’s. Hotspur says he’s glad his English isn’t elegant and that he wants nothing to do with sissified, “mincing poetry.” Hotspur insists again that he won’t back down from his position on the land, then asks whether they should get going. Glendower, who’s going to stay behind to finish preparing his forces, says he’ll go tell Hotspur and Mortimer’s wives that they’re leaving. He fears his daughter, Lady Mortimer, will go crazy, since she loves Mortimer so much. Glendower exits.

Mortimer chastises Hotspur for fighting so much with Glendower. Hotspur says he can’t help it, he gets so angry listening to “tedious” Glendower’s mysticism and faith in portents (what Hotspur calls “skimble-skamble stuff.”) Mortimer protests that Glendower is in fact well-read, brave, kind, and rich, and that, though he’s thus far restrained himself from blowing up at Hotspur, Hotspur should be careful not to try his patience in the future. Worcester chimes in, calling Hotspur “too willful-blunt” and urging him to “amend this fault” for, though it occasionally lends him “greatness” and “courage,” it more often leads him into “harsh rage,” rudeness, poor judgment, “pride, haughtiness….and disdain.” Hotspur pronounces himself “school’d” and announces that they should bid their wives farewell and leave.

Glendower reenters with Lady Mortimer (crying at the prospect of Mortimer’s departure) and Lady Percy. Mortimer laments that he can’t talk with his wife, since he can’t speak Welsh and his wife can’t speak English. Glendower (Lady Mortimer’s father) translates for them and reiterates his daughter’s adoration for Mortimer and reluctance to see him leave. Mortimer says he understands “that pretty Welsh” of his wife’s looks and that they can understand each other’s kisses, and that her voice makes Welsh sound sweet as music to him. Still, he is frustrated that he can’t understand her words. Glendower translates: Lady Mortimer wants to take Mortimer’s head in her lap and sing him to sleep and Mortimer happily agrees..

Hotspur remarks that Welsh music is played by the devil and that he’d rather listen to his dog howl. Lady Percy tells him to shut up and listen. Lady Mortimer sings a Welsh song. Hotspur jokes that Lady Percy should sing a song too and, when she refuses, makes fun of her. He announces he’ll be leaving soon and exits. Glendower urges Mortimer to hurry up since he must leave soon too.