Glendower is very, very Welsh. This was likely played for comic effect in Shakespeare’s time as Glendower makes grandiose claims about his mythical backstory and magic powers. Unfortunately we never get to see Glendower in action because he is likewise not present for the Battle of Shrewsbury – he is not able to gather his forces in time, but he also blames his absence on some nebulous “prophesies.” This superstitious attitude coupled with his Trump-like self-aggrandising lies riles Hotspur up immensely, and the scenes between them serve to highlight Hotspur’s inability to make or keep friends even within his own camp.
