Henry IV, Part I · Character

Hotspur

A warrior so hungry for glory he cannot sit still through a map-reading, whose reckless temper threatens to undo the rebellion he anchors.

major

Also known as Harry Percy, Lord Percy, Lord Harry Percy, Hotspur Revolted Mortimer

First appearance: henry iv part i

As a major figure in Henry IV, Part I, Hotspur is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the victor at Holmedon, holding prisoners and defying the king by keeping them for his own use.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See Hotspur in Scene I Book page

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Hotspur is the North's blazing star, a man who kills Scots by the dozen before breakfast and treats diplomacy as an interruption to fighting. He clashes with Glendower over the Welshman's mystical pretensions and with Worcester over strategy, his impatience making him both the rebellion's greatest weapon and its greatest liability. His obsession with honor — and his contempt for the calculating Prince Hal — sets up the rivalry that gives the play its spine.

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The fuller portrait of Hotspur sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Hotspur in henry iv part i

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Hotspur sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Other

Character groups

Rebels and Tavern Crew
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the decisive military and moral victory of King Henry IV, r…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

King Henry IV
rivalry · negative
Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a… How this plays out →
Worcester
family · ambivalent
Prince Hal
rivalry · negative
Lady Percy
family · positive
Lady Percy
family · positive
Worcester
family · ambivalent
King Henry IV
rivalry · negative
Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a… How this plays out →
Prince Hal
rivalry · negative
Prince Hal
rivalry · negative
Worcester
family · ambivalent

King Henry IV
Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a rebellion against him.
Worcester
Worcester is Hotspur's uncle and chief political advisor, who fuels his nephew's rebellion while often manipulating him.
Prince Hal
Hotspur is Hal's primary rival and foil, a valiant but impulsive rebel whom Hal ultimately kills in single combat.
Lady Percy
Hotspur is married to Lady Percy, and their relationship is affectionate but strained by his obsessive focus on war and honor.
Lady Percy
Hotspur is married to Lady Percy, and their relationship is affectionate but strained by his obsessive focus on war and honor.
Worcester
Worcester is Hotspur's uncle and chief political advisor, who fuels his nephew's rebellion while often manipulating him.
King Henry IV
Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a rebellion against him.
Prince Hal
Hotspur is Hal's primary rival and foil, a valiant but impulsive rebel whom Hal ultimately kills in single combat.
Prince Hal
Hotspur is Hal's primary rival and foil, a valiant but impulsive rebel whom Hal ultimately kills in single combat.
Worcester
Worcester is Hotspur's uncle and chief political advisor, who fuels his nephew's rebellion while often manipulating him.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Hotspur in henry iv part i

In the story

Hotspur appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Mentioned as the victor at Holmedon, holding prisoners and defying the king by keeping them for his own use.
Scene III
Hotspur vehemently refuses to hand over his prisoners and vows to oppose King Henry, revealing his impulsive and honor-driven nature.
Scene III
Reads a letter criticizing the rebellion, angrily defends the plot, and prepares to leave for war despite Lady Percy's pleas.
Scene I
Hotspur mocks Glendower's claims of supernatural birth, quarrels over the map's division of land, and shows impatience with poetry and ceremony. He is chided by Worcester for his wilfulness.
Scene II
Praised by the King for his military victories against Douglas; becomes the benchmark for Prince Hal's redemption.
Scene I
Leads the rebel camp, reacts with frustration to news of his father's sickness and Glendower's delay, but remains fiercely determined to fight.
Scene III
Argues for immediate battle, recounts the Percy family's role in helping King Henry gain the throne, and refuses the king's offer of peace.
Scene IV
Mentioned as Lord Harry Percy, the rebel leader whose forces are judged too weak by the Archbishop.
Scene II
Eager for battle, dismisses Vernon's praise of Hal, and delivers a passionate speech about honor and the shortness of life.
Scene III
Corrects Douglas about Blunt's identity and urges him to continue fighting.
Scene IV
Fights Prince Hal, is mortally wounded, and dies lamenting the loss of his youth and titles.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Hotspur unlock in the free preview.

See Hotspur in henry iv part i

See Hotspur in Scene I