Chapter 4 - Henry IV, Part I

Summary

Shakespeare’s play Henry IV, Part I explores the self through different types of thought experiments. Positioning theory is used in this chapter to reveal the details of several thought experiments. Positoning theory was developed to help better explain small-scale social interactions that are regulated by local moral conventions. “Position” is one corner of the positioning triangle, the other two corners of which are “acts,” the social meaning of actions, and “storylines,” a loose cluster of narrative conventions according to which social episodes unfold and positions arise. Central to this play is an an experiment in which Prince Hal plays the role of his father the king, and Falstaff plays Prince Hal. When the prince steps into his father’s shoes, his self-perception and, evetually, his public positioning of himself and others changes. However, he prevents Falstaff from repositioning himself.