Henry IV, Part 2

Henry IV, Part 2

▪ work by Shakespeare
      chronicle play in five acts by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare, William), written in 1597–98 and published in a corrupt text based in part on memorial reconstruction in a quarto edition in 1600; a better text, printed in the main from an authorial manuscript, appeared in the First Folio of 1623 and is generally the more reliable version. Henry IV, Part 2 is the third in a sequence of four history plays (the others being Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, and Henry V) known collectively as the “second tetralogy,” treating major events of English history in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The historical facts of the play were taken primarily from Raphael Holinshed (Holinshed, Raphael)'s Chronicles, but Sir John Falstaff (Falstaff, Sir John) and the other comic secondary characters are original. In Henry IV, Part 2 these Eastcheap figures dominate the action even more than they do in Part 1.

      Henry IV's son John of Lancaster is leading the ongoing war against the Welsh chieftain, Owen Glendower, and Hotspur's father, Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland. The swaggering Falstaff has become even more corpulent and outrageous, sponging off his hostess, Mistress Quickly, abusing the Lord Chief Justice, preening for the admiring Doll Tearsheet, and taking advantage of everyone, especially his ensign, Pistol, and his old friends Justice Shallow and Justice Silence.

      Prince Hal, worried about his father's ill health but still curious about Falstaff's activities, goes to Eastcheap in disguise to spy on his old friends. When the king learns of Hal's whereabouts, he despairs for the future. News comes that Prince John has settled the war (through a perfidious betrayal of promises made to the enemy leaders as a condition of their disbanding their forces). Henry talks, yet again, about a pilgrimage so that he can die in the Holy Land. After a misunderstanding in which Hal—thinking his father has died—removes the crown from the king's pillow and leaves the sickroom, father and son are reconciled on the king's deathbed. The wily Henry advises Hal to avoid internal strife during his own reign by seeking foreign quarrels.

      Hal prepares to become king, setting aside his previous frivolous image and reassuring his brothers of his loyalty to them and his genuine grief at their mutual loss. Falstaff arrives with his entourage, expecting a lively and generous welcome from his old friend. Instead, Hal, now King Henry V, denounces Falstaff, orders him and his cronies to repent their profligate ways, and has the Lord Chief Justice take them to the Fleet prison until they have reformed. As they are led away, Prince John prophesies war with France.

      For a discussion of this play within the context of Shakespeare's entire corpus, see William Shakespeare: Shakespeare's plays and poems (Shakespeare, William).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Henry VI, Part 3 — Henry the Sixth, Part 3 , is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed written in approximately 1590, and set during the lifetime of King Henry VI of England. It prepares the ground for one of his best known and most controversial plays:… …   Wikipedia

  • Henry IV, Part 1 — This article is about Shakespeare s play. For other uses, see Henry IV. Title page of the first quarto (1598) Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. It is the second play in… …   Wikipedia

  • Henry IV, Part 2 — This article is about the Shakespeare s play. For other uses, see Henry IV. Facsimile of the first page of The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth from the First Folio, published in 1623 Henry IV, Part 2 is a history play by William Shakespeare …   Wikipedia

  • Henry VI, Part 1 — believed written in approximately 1588–1590. It is the first in the cycle of four plays often referred to as The First Tetralogy .ourcesShakespeare s primary source for Henry VI, Part 1 , as for most of his chronicle histories, was Raphael… …   Wikipedia

  • Henry VI, Part 2 — The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth , or Henry VI, Part 2 , is a history play by William Shakespeare believed written in approximately 1590 91. It is the second part of the trilogy on Henry VI, and often grouped together with Richard III as a …   Wikipedia

  • Henry VI, Part 1 — ▪ work by Shakespeare       chronicle play in five acts by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare, William), written sometime in 1589–92 and published in the First Folio of 1623. Henry VI, Part 1 is the first in a sequence of four history plays (the… …   Universalium

  • Henry VI, Part 2 — (Shakespeare)    Henry VI, Part 2, is the second play in William Shakespeare’s tetralogy (i.e., four play series) depicting the characters and events of the WARS OF THE ROSES.    If the traditional belief that the four plays were written in… …   Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses

  • Henry IV, Part 1 — ▪ work by Shakespeare  chronicle play in five acts by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare, William), written about 1596–97 and published from a reliable authorial draft in a 1598 quarto edition. Henry IV, Part 1 is the second in a sequence of four… …   Universalium

  • Henry VI, Part 1 — (Shakespeare)    Written probably in early 1590, Henry VI, Part 1, is the first work in William Shakespeare’s tetralogy (i.e., series of four plays) depicting the people and events of the WARS OF THE ROSES. The play is probably Shakespeare’s… …   Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses

  • Henry VI, Part 3 — (Shakespeare)    Probably written early in 1591, Henry VI, Part 3 is the third work in William Shakespeare’s tetralogy (or four play cycle) depicting the WARS OF THE ROSES. Like the other plays in the series (HENRY VI, PART 1; HENRY VI, PART 2;… …   Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”