Falstaff and King Henry: Similar Characters Throughout the play Henry IV:Part I,there are many similarities between characters. Two that seem particularly alike are Falstaff and King Henry. Their common traits are demonstrated by Shakespeare in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways. While Falstaff seems to be able to accept himself for what he is, the King appears to be tied up in his image as a great ruler, and thus will never admit to being anything less than great. The characters of Falstaff and the King at first seem to be diametrically opposed opposites in terms