1. In what sense are there two kings of England in this play? 2. In terms of debits and credits, what are the chief facets of Falstaff’s character? 3. What is the chief contribution made respectively by (a) Bardolph, (b) Francis, and (c) Vernon? 4. What are the virtues and […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays Sixteenth-Century Political Theory
Since the Henry IV plays are basically political ones, it is necessary to understand the political doctrine behind them if one is to do justice to Shakespeare’s intentions. Elizabeth I, the fifth Tudor to rule England, had come to a throne which was in many ways insecure because of rival […]
Read more Critical Essays Sixteenth-Century Political TheoryCritical Essays Shakespeare’s Use of Verse and Prose
Quite properly, verse is overwhelmingly the medium used in the main plot, the wholly serious action; no less appropriately, prose is used almost entirely in the broadly comic subplot. Of the nineteen scenes, ten are devoted entirely to the serious action, six largely to the comic, and three (wherein Falstaff […]
Read more Critical Essays Shakespeare’s Use of Verse and ProseWilliam Shakespeare Biography
Many books have assembled facts, reasonable suppositions, traditions, and speculations concerning the life and career of William Shakespeare. Taken as a whole, these materials give a rather comprehensive picture of England’s foremost dramatic poet. Tradition and sober supposition are not necessarily false because they lack proved bases for their existence. […]
Read more William Shakespeare BiographySummary and Analysis Act V: Scene 5
Summary The insurrection having been repressed, King Henry orders the execution of Worcester and Vernon. The fate of the other rebels will be decided later. Prince Hal intercedes on behalf of the Earl of Douglas, and his life is spared. Prince John of Lancaster is given the honor of setting […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4
Summary The king bids the Prince of Wales and his brother, John of Lancaster, to rest. Despite his wounds, the prince will not do so: “. . . God forbid a shallow scratch should drive / The Prince of Wales from such a field as this, / Where . . […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3
Summary On the battlefield, Sir Walter Blunt, wearing armor the same as that of the king, meets Douglas, who has slain the Lord of Stafford, similarly arrayed for the obvious purpose of misleading the foe. Now the Scotsman is convinced that it is Henry IV himself whom he faces, and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2
Summary Back in the rebel camp, Worcester insists that Hotspur must not be told that the king has offered all of the insurgents free pardon. He argues that, although his young nephew’s trespass will be forgiven, Henry IV will never place his trust in the elder leaders of the rebellion. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1
Summary The Earl of Worcester and Sir Richard Vernon arrive as emissaries at the king’s camp near Shrewsbury. Present are the king himself, the Prince of Wales, John of Lancaster, the Earl of Westmoreland, Sir Walter Blunt, and Falstaff. As Hotspur did earlier in his reply to the king’s emissary […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act V: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 4
Summary The Archbishop of York instructs Sir Michael to deliver in all haste certain written instructions and information to his allies and relatives who have a substantial number of followers. The archbishop has learned that Hotspur faces the king’s power without the support of Northumberland, Glendower, and Mortimer. Convinced that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 4