Source: "The Old Honor and the New Courtesy.

Henry IV," in Shakespeare Survey: An Annual Survey of Shakespearian Study and Production, Vol. 31, 1978, pp. 85-91.

  [Pinciss argues that while Hotspur is primarily concerned with honor throughout the play, Hal represents a comparable virtue: courtesy. Prior bases his examination of honor and courtesy on two books that were commonly read at the time Shakespeare wrote Henry IV, Part One. The Courtier, Written by Castiglione and translated from Italian in 1561, and The Governour, written by Sir Thomas Elyot in 1531, were guides to the proper manners and behavior for upper class gentleman, or nobleman. Pinciss shows that Hotspur fads as a nobleman when measured against these standards. His code of honor is that of a solder, and it is obsolete compared to Hal's courtesy. Hal's manners are approved of by these sources. Pinciss points out that without knowing that in...