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Prompt 01

Essay task

AP LiteratureAP LanguageAQAIB Language & LiteratureCommon Core

In Henry IV, Part 1, Shakespeare explores honor as a nuanced and debated concept, represented in different ways by characters like Hotspur, Falstaff, and Prince Hal. Write a structured essay where you discuss how Shakespeare contrasts the views of honor held by these three characters to convey a central theme regarding the nature of honor, political legitimacy, or personal identity.

Your essay should:

  • Present a strong, arguable thesis that makes a specific assertion about how Shakespeare's portrayal of honor serves a broader thematic purpose.
  • Back up your argument with textual evidence from at least three scenes in the play.
  • Examine how literary devices such as foil, soliloquy, imagery, or dramatic irony enhance Shakespeare's depiction of honor.
  • Reflect on how the historical and political context of the play influences the characters’ differing interpretations of honor.

Suggested length

4–6 paragraphs (AP-level) or 800–1,200 words

Prompt 02

Essay task

AP LiteratureAP LanguageAQAIB Language & LiteratureCommon Core Ela

In Henry IV, Part 1, Shakespeare explores the idea of honor as a complicated and debated concept, represented in various ways by characters like Hotspur, Falstaff, and Prince Hal. Write a well-organized essay where you argue how Shakespeare contrasts these different views of honor among these three characters to convey a central theme regarding honor, political legitimacy, or personal identity.

Your essay should:

  • Present a clear, defensible thesis that makes a specific claim about Shakespeare's thematic intent.
  • Support your argument with textual evidence, including direct quotes and a close analysis of particular scenes or speeches (for instance, Hotspur's quest for glory, Falstaff's "catechism" soliloquy in Act V, Scene 1, or Hal's "I know you all" soliloquy in Act I, Scene 2).
  • Discuss at least two characters and how their perspectives on honor either contrast or overlap.
  • Analyze how Shakespeare's dramatic structure or language (imagery, rhetoric, irony) strengthens your argument.
  • Conclude by reflecting on the wider significance of Shakespeare's portrayal of honor within the context of Elizabethan society or the history play genre.

Suggested length

4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words)

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Henry IV, Part 1William Shakespeare

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