Signifying Nothing

The struggle for the throne is focused on by each character's mind. The men of Henry IV, more than in Richard II, have become monomaniacal and see only one purpose: either to become king or to have a hand in facilitating the next king's reign. Why is this? These men are all royalty, having both money and power, and they are all family- having grown up together. What are the perks of being king, or being amiably affiliated with the King can be so great that risking life is worth? Is it merely a set of ideals that the characters feel a king should have? Is it principle? Is it full faith in divine right and fear of England's fate in god's hands? I attempted to view this as the scramble for presidency in our country. Do our politicians fight for presidency because they have a concept of government that they wish to instate, or because they have a lust for power? Is the fight for kingship a lust for power, or is it out of fear that the men of Henry IV commit such foul deeds? I suppose the desire to be in the king's good graces (or to be the king) may be out of a fear of death or banishment. If one is not in good favor with the king, he may be sentenced to unjust punishment. Disloyalty is also punished, which only shows that the kingdom is not a just one and the laws established may crumble to dust at the will of the ruler. Do we, as Americans, have a policy for punishing disloyalty?
In the theme of divine right, which consumes the play, the sun is mentioned yet again. If we look back, we see Prince Harry stating that he will imitate the sun, and in Act 3 we see King Henry speaking to his son Harry about his transgressions using the sun as a metaphor again.
King Henry says, ..."Afford no extraordinary gaze/ Such as is bent on sun-like majesty/ When it shines seldom in admiring eyes,/ But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down,/ Slept in his face and rendered such aspect/ As cloudy men use to their adversaries,/ being with his presence glutted, gorged, and full" (3.2.78-84).
Henry's disappointment in his son are summed up here as he explains Harry's behavior to be undesirably in a prince, and that he should not be treated as a prince if he cannot act like one. This form of speech is still prevalent with parents to their teens, "If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like one." The importance of his behavior is augmented by his royal position. Henry sees his son as shining brightly, but in an unfavorable light. The attention of the people is caught by his actions, but not the sort of attention that elicits a positive view of Harry. Is Henry's disappointment in Harry out of a desire for his son to be a better person? I don't think this is Henry's concern, but that a child that is not his has the attention of his people, and also that the throne will be overthrown if Harry is king.