Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Lord Chief Justice

At first, Prince Hal is set in opposition to King Henry IV's Lord Chief Justice (LCJ), the guy appointed to uphold "the majesty and power of law and justice" (5.2.78). Apparently, the LCJ once threw the prince in the slammer for boxing him, the Lord Chief Justice, on the ears. In other words, Hal smacked him upside his head and has been at odds with the guy ever since. After King Henry IV dies and Prince Hal officially becomes King Henry V, the LCJ is seriously worried that the new monarch will punish him. This, of course, turns out not to be the case. Keep reading…