Summary Worcester and Vernon try to convince Hotspur that the rebel forces should not attack at once. Douglas sides with young Percy. The sound of a trumpet announces a parley, and Sir Walter Blunt enters “with gracious offers from the king.” This gives Hotspur the occasion to review the story […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary Falstaff and Bardolph appear on a public road near Coventry, followed by a newly enlisted company of soldiers. Sir John orders Bardolph to replenish his supply of sack and to tell Peto to meet him at the town’s end. He dislikes the idea of marching his men through the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary The scene now shifts to the rebel camp near Shrewsbury, where Hotspur, Worcester, and Douglas appear. Young Percy and the Scottish warrior exchange compliments. A messenger arrives with news from the Earl of Northumberland. It seems that Hotspur’s father is ill and cannot lead his followers to Shrewsbury. Shocked […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3
Summary Falstaff deplores his alleged physical decline resulting from lack of activity since the Gadshill “action.” Bardolph’s frank comment on the knight’s corpulence leads him to a rhetorical exercise, the subject of which is Bardolph’s flaming nose. When Mistress Quickly enters, Sir John accuses her of having picked his pockets […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2
Summary At the palace in London, Prince Hal appears before his father, who dismisses members of his court so that he can speak alone to his son. He passionately censures the heir-apparent for “inordinate and low desires” and for indulging in “such barren pleasures” in the company of such “rude” […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1
Summary In Bangor, Wales, Hotspur and Worcester confer with Glendower, their host, and Mortimer. Young Percy and the Welsh leader, after exchanging compliments, engage in a personal dispute and are interrupted by Mortimer. A map is produced, whereupon the rebel leaders proceed to divide England into three parts — the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4
Summary At the Boar’s-Head Tavern, Prince Hal and Poins are entertaining themselves. Hal tells his companion that he has won much honor by being accepted as “sworn brother” to the lowly tavern servants. He engages Francis, one of them, in a bewildering game with Poins’ help. First the prince, then […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3
Summary At Warkworth Castle, Hotspur reads a letter from a noble whom he has asked to join in the rebellion. The noble advances one excuse after another for declining the invitation. Young Percy is indignant and scornful of the writer, who ignores the fact that the Percies have powerful allies, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2
Summary Prince Hal and Poins appear together on the highway near Gadshill. Poins has succeeded in depriving Falstaff of his horse, and the fat knight himself arrives calling for Poins, who has withdrawn into the darkness. Hal offers to find Poins, and Falstaff is left alone to complain about Poins’ […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1
Summary Two carriers complain about the accommodations of the inn at Rochester as they prepare to drive their pack horses to the market in London. Gadshill, the professional thief to whom Poins had made reference, enters and asks to borrow their lantern, but the wary carriers refuse to lend it […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 1