Owen Glendower

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the figure of Owen Glendower, a Welsh hero of history who is also famously featured as a character in Shakespeare's "Henry IV Part I." It sets forth Glendower's place in the historical and literary context and discuss elements that distinguish him, with reference to various historians' views of his historic persona. In order to appreciate why Owen Glendower has prominence in the literary history of Britain, it explains some of the historical background of the time and how the action of "Henry IV Part I" deals with the self-conscious assertion of monarchical attitude and dignity in England by one of its founding royal families. It analyzes how Shakespeare's characterization of Glendower focuses on the extremity of his character and that of Wales since Glendower makes an actual appearance in person in only one scene (III.1), to seal the conspiracy against Henry with Hotspur, Worcester and Mortimer.

From the Paper:

"In Shakespeare's play, Mortimer's affiliation with Glendower and Hotspur's defiant defense of Mortimer's motives in a confrontation with Henry (I.iii) is fundamentally a coup, whatever the timing of the alliance. That is because Henry's legitimate hold on the English throne is tenuous; Richard II had named Mortimer his successor. Indirectly, Glendower is positioned as a potential king maker in 1HIV, a position that has some moral legitimacy in the face of Henry's dour insistence on his kingly dignity and warnings against the Percys not to "tread upon my patience" (IHIV I.iii). The Percys, who now regret having helped what Hotspur calls "this proud king" to replace Richard on the throne, join Glendower, Mortimer, and Scotland in rebellion for that reason. Thus the political action of the play proceeds. The rebellion of Wales (Mortimer plus Glendower) and the Percys persists into 2HIV, but in the second part Glendower is effectively absent from the dramatic scene."

More papers on Owen Glendower:

• Essay # 24726 : "Owen Glendower"
• Book Review # 95417 : "A Prayer for Owen Meany"--A Review"
• Analytical Essay # 85625 : "Immigrants and Native People in Canada"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: