In the chapter "The Tethys Sea on Mars", Orphu and Mahnmut discuss Falstaff and Hotspur from Shakespeare's Henry IV. Orphu identifies with Falstaff, even though he finds him despicable. They both believe that a character like Hotspur better fits their current situation, but both manage to change the subject to Proust and Tennyson, and never return to the topic. Orphu indicates that it may be "too late" for him to be anything other than Falstaff, and Mahnmut probably identifies with Hotspur, especially in light of his name.

Although that is the only mention of Hotspur in the text, Falstaff is mentioned one other time, in reference to love. In particular, Shakespearean characters who become Fools over love - in Falstaff's case, his love for Prince Hal.