Disappointing Children & Another King's Overthrown Future?

So far, I enjoyed the beginning to this play. Two particular things stand out to me. First, the cliché father who wishes his son was something different. In our century, usually a father wants a son who can play sports and who he can hang out with; he does not necessarily want a son who is too into his studies. I have been in the position where parents compare their children. In the play, King Henry wishes his son Hal was more like Hotspur. King Henry is disappointed that Hal (Harry), is almost like a waste; the way he spends his time in taverns and goofing around instead of fighting. He even contemplates whether Hal and Hotspur were switched at birth when he says "Then would I have his Harry, and he mine" (1.1.89).

At the same time, Hal is positive that one day he will take over his father’s reign. Although he seems to be a goof, he states that he acts this way so that he can appear worthier later on. He tells us this when he says "I know you all, and will a while uphold / The unyoked humour of your idleness" (1.2.173-174). He reinforces this idea after he tells us that he is only friends with the “thieves” and that "My reformation, glitt'ring o'er my fault, / Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes" (1.2.191-192)

However, not all is what it seems. Even though King Henry wishes Hal could be like Hotspur, Hotspur’s character seems to materialize further in the act. Hotspur has the characteristics of a warrior unlike Hal, but he also has a hot temper. He also doesn't seem to have the personality of Hal who can exploit the language and appeal to everyone's better side. Northumberland, referring to his son, states that sometimes something “Drives him beyond the bounds of patience" (1.3.199). Possibly this spontaneity could corrupt Hotspur.

The second thing I see in this act, is what goes around, comes around. Bolingbroke was the reason for Richard II’s decline of power. Scene 3 shows that there could be the same type of power struggle for King Henry. There is a rebellion stewing in the mix between the Scots at Holmedon and the Welshman. Hotspur continues to refuse giving the prisoners to the king and tries to have Edmund freed from the Welshman, Owen. (I believe this is the layout. Once again, too many names introduced) My point is that the Welsh and the Scots feel alarmed by the authoritative tone. They become a team and plan to overthrow King Henry and Hotspur agrees saying:

“Yea, on his part I'll empty all these veins,
And shed my dear blood drop by drop in the dust,
But I will lift the down-trod Mortimer
As high in the air as this unthankful king,
As this ingrate and canker'd Bolingbroke” (1.3.131-35).