Question

king henry iv part ii
by william shakespeare
act 2, scene 2

in this excerpt from king henry iv, part ii, the plays main protagonist, prince henry, has returned from war. he is accompanied by poins, one of his friends. prior to this scene, henry was a young, carefree prince who preferred spending his time in taverns, rather than learning the responsibilities of being a king. but having experienced war, henry is considering an earlier promise made to his father that he will reform and act like a true prince.

london. another street.
(enter prince henry and poins)
prince henry: before god, i am exceeding weary.
poins: ist come to that? i had thought weariness durst not have attached one of so high blood.
prince henry: faith, it does me; though it discolours the complexion of my greatness to acknowledge it. doth it not show vilely in me to desire small beer?
poins: why, a prince should not be so loosely studied as

select all the correct answers.
which two statements best express the contrasts between poins and prince henry?

• prince henry is royalty, while poins is an ordinary person.
• poins has made foolish choices in life, while prince henry has made wise choices.
• prince henry knows a lot about poins, while poins knows very little about prince henry.
• prince henry struggles to accept the life he was born into, while poins accepts his life.
• poins is devoted to his father, while henry is not close to his father.

Explanation:

Analyze social status difference

The text states Prince Henry is of "high blood" (royalty), while Poins is his companion (an ordinary person). This establishes a clear contrast in social status.

Analyze attitude toward their lives

Prince Henry is "exceeding weary" and struggles with the "greatness" of his royal responsibilities, desiring "small beer" but knowing it "discolours" his greatness. Poins, conversely, accepts his life and questions Henry's weariness, noting that weariness should not affect someone of high blood.

Evaluate remaining options

The text does not support that Poins made foolish choices while Henry made wise ones, that Henry knows more about Poins than vice versa, or that Poins is devoted to his father.

Answer:

• Prince Henry is royalty, while Poins is an ordinary person. (Correct answer)
• Poins has made foolish choices in life, while Prince Henry has made wise choices.
• Prince Henry knows a lot about Poins, while Poins knows very little about Prince Henry.
• Prince Henry struggles to accept the life he was born into, while Poins accepts his life. (Correct answer)
• Poins is devoted to his father, while Henry is not close to his father.