Henry IV, Part 2: What's Inside in Context

Henry IV, Part 2
Study Guide by Course Hero
What's Inside d In Context
j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1

The Histories of Shakespeare
d In Context ..................................................................................................... 1
Henry IV, Part 2 is part of Shakespeare's second historical
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 2 tetralogy, which is called the Henriad by scholars (made up of
Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V). The
h Characters .................................................................................................. 3
Henriad focuses on the founding of the royal house of
k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 7 Lancaster. Later events are recounted in Shakespeare's first
tetralogy (Henry VI, Part 1, Henry VI, Part 2, Henry VI, Part 3, and
c Scene Summaries .................................................................................. 12 Richard III, written in the early 1590s). These plays take place
during the Wars of the Roses (1455–85 clashes between the
g Quotes ........................................................................................................ 22
houses of Lancaster and York), which would end with the
l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 25 crowning of Henry VII, the first ruler of the Tudor dynasty.
Shakespeare wrote Henry IV, Part 2 around the year 1598,
m Themes ...................................................................................................... 26 nearly 200 years after the events in the play take place. At that
time Elizabeth I, the last Tudor ruler, held the throne.
e Suggested Reading .............................................................................. 28
Succession, Divine Right, and

j Book Basics Legitimacy
AUTHOR The period that Shakespeare dramatizes in Henry IV, Part 2 is
William Shakespeare one of political instability and upheaval. The play details the
founding of the Lancastrian dynasty, setting up the dynastic
YEARS WRITTEN
quarrel at the root of the Wars of the Roses (named for the red
1597–98
rose that symbolized the house of Lancaster and the white
GENRE rose of York). Henry IV and Henry V were descended from the
Historical Fiction duke of Lancaster. Henry IV usurped the throne from Richard II
and bypassed the rightful hereditary heir, Edmund Mortimer.
ABOUT THE TITLE
Henry IV, Part 2 is the second of two plays that focus on the This deviation from following the right of rulership is one of the
kingship of Henry Bolingbroke, who was king of England from issues that bothers Henry IV so much in the play. He has
1399 to 1413. usurped his position and thus does not have the divine right of
kings that previous monarchs claimed—invoking the divine right
of kings was a powerful tool for maintaining peace and
Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Author Biography 2
stability, and neither Henry nor his descendants can honestly Part 1 Falstaff is a boisterous, lively force of nature, the friend
claim legitimacy. He hopes Henry V's inheritance of the throne and father figure that Prince Hal associates with in his
will legitimize his Lancastrian dynasty. Unfortunately, the misspent youth. But in Part 2 Falstaff shows the darker side of
coming years are marked with struggle between the his chaotic nature without the mitigating influence. He's still
Lancasters and Yorks over the throne. The quarrel is finally witty, but he's also conniving people out of their money,
resolved when Henry Tudor (Henry VII) marries Elizabeth of insulting the law, and insulting his friends. He's slippery,
York and takes the throne. Elizabeth I was directly descended dishonest, and self-aggrandizing. In Part 1 he's a jolly,
from this line and was the reigning monarch during the period humorous figure, larger than life. In Part 2 he's made to be a
when Shakespeare wrote his plays. small man, made smaller by Henry V's rejection of him.
Shakespeare portrays pre-Tudor England as a time of Despite his treatment in Henry IV, Part 2, Shakespeare includes
enormous upheaval and danger. In doing so he is helping to the Epilogue to let his audiences know that Falstaff, always a
legitimize the Tudors, who were also usurpers—Henry Tudor crowd favorite for his wit and bawdiness, would return in
had at best a weak claim to the throne. But in painting the another play. Supposedly Elizabeth I was so enamored of the
Wars of the Roses as a terrible time, and the rise of the Tudor character she asked Shakespeare to pen a play with Falstaff
dynasty as the beginning of an era of stability and strength, as the main character seeking marriage. Shakespeare then
Shakespeare implicitly suggests that the takeover was wrote The Merry Wives of Windsor. Falstaff does not appear in
justified. Henry V as promised; instead he dies off page.
Historical Sources and Artistic a Author Biography

Inventions William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April
1564. Birth certificates and other record keeping was not
Shakespeare is thought to have used a number of sources for
common in Elizabethan times, so the first recorded date
his Henriad, the first most likely being Chronicles of England,
associated with Shakespeare is his baptismal record, dated
Scotland, and Ireland (1587) by Raphael Holinshed. While
April 26, 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a successful
Shakespeare did use historical information as a jumping-off
tradesman, while his mother, Mary Arden, was a daughter of
point, he did alter or invent other historical details, events, and
the gentry. It is presumed that Shakespeare attended school
people. Other probable sources include The First Foure
to learn reading, writing, and the classics because his father's
Bookes of the Civile Wars (1595) by Samuel Daniel and The
position as alderman would have provided him a free
Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and
education.
Yorke (1548) by Edward Hall. Although Shakespeare
researched his history, he still changed the facts to suit the Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582.
medium of theatre. He condenses time, combines battles, and On May 26, 1583, his first child, a girl named Susanna, was
creates or modifies characters. Sir John Falstaff, for example, baptized at Stratford. His son Hamnet and daughter Judith
appears nowhere in history. were baptized on February 2, 1585. Hamnet died of unknown
causes in 1596.
An Outsized Character—The Not much is known of Shakespeare's life in the late 1580s, but
by the end of 1592, Shakespeare was an established
Development of Falstaff playwright in London. Shakespeare was an actor, writer, and

partial owner of an acting company called the Lord
Chamberlain's Men. After the death of Elizabeth I and the
Sir John Falstaff, perhaps inspired by the real Prince Henry's
coronation of James I in 1603, the troupe changed their name
friend Sir John Oldcastle, is considered to be one of
and became the King's Men. By 1599 Shakespeare and his
Shakespeare's greatest characters, but there is a significant
business partners had built the Globe Theatre on the banks of
difference between the Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2. In
the Thames.
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Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Characters 3
Henry IV, Part 2 was written in the 1590s, when Shakespeare asking the man to fill that role for him.
wrote most of his histories. Many of these royal histories
dramatize the results of corrupt or unfit rulers. Most scholars
attribute this to Shakespeare artistically justifying the rulership Falstaff
of the Tudors and currying political favor.
Sir John Falstaff is a lovable rogue. He's a liar, a conman, and a
Shakespeare continued to spend time in London overseeing
criminal, but also a knight who fought in the Battle of
his company, though he did return to Stratford to retire
Shrewsbury. Falstaff is often a source of comic relief because
sometime in 1610–11. He died on April 23, 1616. He is buried in
of his constant scrapes and witty monologues. In Henry IV, Part
Stratford-upon-Avon in Holy Trinity Church.
1 he claims to have killed Hotspur, and Prince Hal—the actual
killer—agrees to go along with the lie. Falstaff has ridden that
deed as far as it can take him, but the nobility and high court
h Characters officials do not give him much respect. He and the Lord Chief
Justice clash over Falstaff's behavior and his perceived
influence over Prince Hal. He believes that when Hal takes the
King Henry IV throne, he will be advanced as one of the most influential men
in England. By the end of the play, he is a pitiable character,
especially when Hal publicly renounces him. He tries to
Henry IV is the ruling king at the beginning of the play, but he
convince himself and his friends that Hal is just saving face and
has grown sick and weary. He is plagued by insomnia because
will call for him in private to reward him, but when the Lord
of his guilt over usurping Richard II, anxiety from the constant
Chief Justice arrests him, he realizes his mistake.
uprisings, and concern over the kind of king his son will be. He
wishes to go on a crusade to expiate his guilt over deposing
and killing the former king, but constant insurrections and his
own poor health prevent him from doing so. He is so
Lord Chief Justice
concerned with Prince Hal's abilities to lead that he asks his
The Lord Chief Justice is the highest legal official in the land
other sons to do their best to temper their brother once he
(barring the king). He is a calm, intelligent man, which serves
takes the throne. Prince Hal and King Henry IV reconcile
him well as an adviser to King Henry IV. In the past he has
before the king dies, giving his son the political advice to focus
treated Prince Hal no differently than any other criminal, even
on foreign wars as a way to keep his nobles in check. He
going so far as to imprison him for public disorderliness. He is
knows that the laws of succession will afford Hal an easier
in conflict with Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff sows chaos and
time as king than he had.
disorder wherever he goes while the Lord Chief Justice values
law and order. He is concerned about Falstaff's influence over
Prince Hal Prince Hal. He is worried about what kind of a king Hal will
make, and if he will overturn all of the good done during his
father's reign. When Prince Hal becomes Henry V, he asks the
Prince Hal (also called Harry, Prince Henry, Prince Harry) is the
Lord Chief Justice to remain as the king's adviser and to act as
young, wild heir of King Henry IV. Despite his promise to reform
a surrogate father figure. The Lord Chief Justice then arrests
at the end of Henry IV, Part 1, he still seems loathe to give up
Falstaff on Henry V's order, a triumph of law over chaos.
his dissolute ways. He still carouses and associates with his old
friends, though he has distanced himself from Falstaff. He is
concerned for his father's health, but because of his past
actions he fears people will see him as a hypocrite. He is in the
process of casting off his old persona of "playboy" and striving
to figure out what it will take to be a good king. He and his
father reconcile shortly before Henry IV's death. In need of a
father figure and adviser, Hal turns to the Lord Chief Justice,

Character Map
Prince Hal
Heir to the English throne
Father
Mentor Father figure
King Henry IV
King of England
Adviser
Falstaff Lord Chief Justice

Big, witty older man Opponents Intelligent law official
Main Character
Other Major Character
Minor Character

Full Character List The knight Sir John Blunt is a

supporter of King Henry IV. He
Sir John Blunt
serves under Prince John of
Lancaster.
Character Description
Peter Bullcalf is recruited into the

Formerly known as Henry
Bullcalf army by Falstaff. Bullcalf pays a
Bolingbroke, Henry IV, king of
bribe to avoid conscription.
England, usurped the crown of
King Henry IV
Richard II. He is now an older man
harried by constant warfare and The rebel knight Sir John Colevile
worry. Sir John Colevile surrenders to Falstaff after the
rebels dismiss their army.
Heir to the throne of England,
eldest son of King Henry IV, Davy acts as a servant for Justice
Prince Hal has a reputation for Davy
Shallow.
Prince Hal wild, irresponsible behavior. When
his father dies and he becomes
the new king, Henry V, he must At the end of the play, a dancer
adapt to his new role. delivers news of more Falstaff to
Dancer
come and offers to dance for the
audience.
Sir John Falstaff is a fat, witty
older man who is a close friend to
Falstaff A Scottish nobleman and warlord
Prince Hal. He was his mentor and
father figure in Henry IV, Part 1. captured by Hotspur but released
Earl of Douglas to join the rebellion against King
Henry; also called Douglas or "the
As the most powerful law officer Douglas."
in England, the Lord Chief Justice
seeks to uphold the law, even
when it is broken by the king's Sergeants Fang and Snare,
firstborn son, as was seen in Fang officers of the law, attempt to
Lord Chief Justice arrest Falstaff.
Henry IV, Part 1. As the king's
death becomes certain, the Lord
Chief Justice's continued
Francis Feeble is recruited into
employment and safety come into Feeble
the army by Falstaff.
doubt.
Two drawers, one of whom is

Richard Scroop, the archbishop of
named Francis, work at Mistress
York, is a powerful clergyman Francis
Quickly's tavern serving drinks
who leads the rebellion against
from a tap.
Archbishop of York King Henry IV. He uses religious
appeals to the divine right of kings
to raise an army against the Gower is a messenger in London,
usurper of Richard II's crown. Gower
serving the king.
Lord Bardolph is one of the rebel A supporter of King Henry IV,

lords in the party of the Harcourt brings news of the
Lord Bardolph archbishop of York. He is fooled Harcourt
defeat of Northumberland and
by Rumor into believing Hotspur Lord Bardolph.
triumphed against Prince Hal.
Lord Hastings is one of the rebel

Bardolph is a friend of Prince Hal Lord Hastings lords in the party of the
and Falstaff—a different person archbishop of York.
Bardolph
from Lord Bardolph of the rebel
party.

Prince Humphrey, duke of A friend of Prince Hal and

Humphrey of
Gloucester, is a younger son of Poins Falstaff, Ned Poins engages in
Gloucester
King Henry IV. carousing with the young prince.
Prince John, duke of Lancaster, is A tavern proprietress and madam,

a younger son of King Henry IV. Mistress Quickly is a friend of
Mistress Quickly
John of Lancaster He tricks the archbishop of York Falstaff, despite his repeated
and his allies, quelling the lying to and swindling her.
rebellion.
A personification of rumors and

Morton, a rebel soldier, witnesses Rumor gossip, Rumor acts as a Greek
the death of Hotspur at chorus.
Morton
Shrewsbury and brings the news
to Northumberland.
Two drawers, one of whom is
named Francis, work at Mistress
Second drawer
Ralph Mouldy is recruited into the Quickly's tavern serving drinks
Mouldy army by Falstaff. Mouldy pays a from a tap.
bribe to avoid conscription.
Simon Shadow is recruited into

Shadow
Thomas, Lord Mowbray, the Earl the army by Falstaff.
Marshal, is one of the rebel lords
in the party of the archbishop of
Lord Mowbray Robert Shallow, a country justice
York. He is the son of Thomas
Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, who of the peace, seeks advancement
Justice Shallow
appears in Richard II. through his association with
Falstaff.
Henry Percy, the earl of

Northumberland, is one of the Silence, another country justice of
Northumberland rebel leaders and father of the peace, is Justice Shallow's
Hotspur (also named Henry Justice Silence compatriot. Rarely speaking,
Percy). Silence lives up to his name,
except when drunk.
Northumberland's wife is mother

to Hotspur (Henry Percy). She Sergeants Fang and Snare,
Northumberland's Snare officers of the law, attempt to
convinces her husband to stay
wife arrest Falstaff.
out of the fighting, which dooms
their allies.
The earl of Surrey is a supporter
Earl of Surrey
The page is a young boy Prince of King Henry IV.
Page
Hal assigned to serve Falstaff.
Doll Tearsheet is Mistress
Lacy Percy is the widow of Quickly's most favored prostitute.
Doll Tearsheet
Hotspur (Henry Percy), who was She and Falstaff become fond of
Lady Percy slain by Prince Hal in Henry IV, each other.
Part 1. She counsels her father-in-
law, the earl of Northumberland. Thomas of Prince Thomas, duke of Clarence,
Clarence is a younger son of King Henry IV.
Peto is a friend of Prince Hal and
Peto
Falstaff. Travers, a servant to
Travers Northumberland, is the first to
An ensign who serves under bring news of Hotspur's defeat.
Pistol Falstaff, Pistol is a violent
drunkard.

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Plot Summary 7
way out of it. While Falstaff banters with Quickly, Doll

Thomas Wart is recruited into the
army by Falstaff. Wart initially was Tearsheet, and others, Gower arrives to bring word that the
Wart
passed over, then recruited after king and the prince are close by.
others bribe their way out.
Prince Hal and Poins discuss the king's illness. Upon receiving
A nobleman and supporter of King a letter from Falstaff, they decide to spy on Falstaff to see his
Earl of Warwick Henry IV, the earl of Warwick is true colors. They pay the page and Bardolph to remain silent.
one of the king's advisers.
Northumberland talks with his wife and Lady Percy (his son's
The earl of Westmoreland widow). They argue against him going into battle against the
supports King Henry IV. He aids king with the archbishop. Eventually he agrees to stay out of
Earl of
John of Lancaster in capturing
Westmoreland the fighting.
the archbishop of York and his
allies.
Prince Hal and Poins, disguised as servants, observe Falstaff
insulting them. Poins and Henry confront Falstaff, and he tries
to take back his words, but Hal is not convinced. Poins and Hal
k Plot Summary are called to meet the king. Falstaff is summoned to his military
duties, going into the country to find recruits.
Act 1 Act 3
Conflicting rumors reach Northumberland and his allies
King Henry, ill and suffering insomnia, worries for the state of
regarding the outcome of the Battle of Shrewsbury (Henry IV,
the kingdom and that of his heir. In a late-night meeting, his
Part 1). When Northumberland learns the truth—that his son is
advisers seek to reassure him, and they deliver word of
dead, the battle lost, and King Henry's troops are
Glendower's death.
approaching—he makes plans to join forces with the
archbishop of York. Meanwhile, Falstaff meets with Justice Shallow and Justice
Silence to look over possible recruits for conscription. Several
Sir John Falstaff prepares to travel north to recruit soldiers.
bribe their way out of being conscripted.
He's visited by the Lord Chief Justice, who questions him about
a recent crime. They exchange insults, and the Lord Chief
Justice leaves after Falstaff asks him for money.
Act 4
The archbishop of York, Lord Mowbray, Lord Hastings, and
Lord Bardolph discuss the rebellion against the king. They can The archbishop of York, Lord Mowbray, and Lord Hastings
match the king for troop strength since he is harried on three meet with the earl of Westmoreland in the forest of Gaultree.
sides by the French (the Hundred Years' War between France He agrees to take their grievances to Prince John of
and England stretched intermittent fighting over the years Lancaster. John tells them he will address their complaints and
1337–1453), the Welsh uprising led by Owen Glendower, and concerns, and the lords dismiss their rebel army. John then
the English rebels. They need Northumberland to throw in with arrests them for treason and sends his men after the
them to assure a win. dispersing army.
One of the rebel knights, Sir John Colevile, surrenders to

Falstaff. Falstaff then tells Prince John that he overcame
Act 2 Coleville in a fierce fight, although John does not believe him.
Nonetheless, the prince agrees to speak well of Falstaff's
Mistress Quickly tries to have Falstaff, who owes her money,
action before leaving to see the king. Falstaff plans to meet
arrested for his debts, and the Lord Chief Justice arrives to
Justice Shallow in Gloucestershire.
investigate the disturbance. But Falstaff manages to talk his

The king grows more ill. He worries for the state of the crown
when he dies and Prince Hal becomes king. News reaches him
of the victory over the rebels. He goes to rest. When Prince Hal
visits him, he thinks the king has died. The prince takes his
father's crown and ponders the burdens of kingship. Henry
wakes and sees his crown gone. He accuses Hal of wishing
him dead, although the earl of Warwick insists that Hal is crying
because he thinks his father has died. Hal reenters and
explains that he only took the crown because he viewed it as
responsible for his father's death, and father and son reconcile
their differences.
Act 5
Falstaff stays with Justice Shallow at his home in
Gloucestershire. Shallow is looking to take advantage of
Falstaff's connection to Prince Hal. Falstaff anticipates
amusing the king with tales of Shallow and his servants.
The earl of Warwick brings word of the king's death to the Lord
Chief Justice. The Lord Chief Justice is concerned that Prince
Hal—now king—will punish him for chastising Hal. The new
king's three brothers arrive, and they too believe that the Lord
Chief Justice may be punished. King Henry V appears and
greets them; seeing their nervousness, the new king reassures
him that he intends to rule wisely.
At the home of Justice Shallow, Pistol arrives with news of the

king's death. Falstaff goes to London to see Hal, thinking that
he will be rewarded with the new king's favor.
Mistress Quickly and Doll Tearsheet are arrested on suspicion

of murder.
Following the coronation, Falstaff and his retinue come to see

the new king's procession. When Falstaff calls out, Henry V
rejects Falstaff, claiming not to know who he is. The Lord Chief
Justice arrests Falstaff and his companions. Prince John
expects they will be fighting France within the year.
Epilogue
A dancer appears, informs the audience that Falstaff will
return, and disavows any connection between Falstaff and
John Oldcastle (c. 1378–1417), the real-life inspiration for the
character.

Plot Diagram
Climax
7
10 Falling Action
Rising Action
6
11
5
4 12
3 Resolution
2
1
Introduction
Introduction Climax
1. Northumberland learns that his son's rebellion failed. 9. King Henry IV dies.
Rising Action Falling Action
2. Falstaff is nearly arrested but is called to arms. 10. Prince Hal is crowned King Henry V.
3. The archbishop of York and other lords plan their rebellion. 11. King Henry V asks the Lord Chief Justice to be his adviser.
4. Prince Hal and Poins spy on Falstaff as he insults them.
5. King Henry IV worries Prince Hal will misrule the kingdom.

Resolution
6. Prince John of Lancaster defeats the rebels.
12. King Henry V banishes Falstaff from his company.
7. King Henry IV falls ill.
8. Prince Hal and King Henry IV reconcile.

Timeline of Events
Battle of Shrewsbury
The earl of Northumberland receives word that his son is

dead and the battle lost.
Post battle
Falstaff returns to London to continue his carousing

ways.
Days later
The archbishop of York and the rebels meet to discuss

their plans for rebellion against Henry IV.
Days later
The earl of Northumberland decides not to support the

rebel lords and flees to Scotland.
Later
In London Prince Hal and Poins play a joke on Falstaff

through disguise. They overhear his insults.
Days later
King Henry IV prepares for war against the rebel lords.
Later
Falstaff travels the countryside to recruit soldiers for the

war.
Weeks later
The rebels meet with John of Lancaster to discuss their

grievances. He arrests them.
Later
Falstaff captures a rebel knight and speaks with John,

who is unimpressed.
Later
King Henry IV and Prince Hal reconcile.

Later still
King Henry IV dies, and Prince Hal becomes King Henry

V.
Days later
King Henry V confronts Falstaff in the street and orders

him to never speak to him again.

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Scene Summaries 12
Northumberland's servant, Travers, arrives bearing different

c Scene Summaries news. He tells Northumberland that Hotspur failed and the
rebels were defeated by the king's army. Lord Bardolph does
not believe this account and even offers to give up his lands if
Induction he's wrong. Lord Morton backs Travers's version of events.

He's come straight from the battlefield and saw for himself the
rebels' defeat and Hotspur's death.
Summary Northumberland is upset over the death of his son and vows
vengeance against the king and the prince. Lords Bardolph and
Henry IV, Part 2 begins in the wake of the Battle of Shrewsbury Morton remind Northumberland that the archbishop of York
(Henry IV, Part 1). The personified figure of Rumor reminds still has a sizable rebel army and needs his help. Moreover, the
everyone of the truth of what happened at the battle: King archbishop is using the murder of Richard II as a religious call
Henry defeated Hotspur. However, Rumor plans to spread to rebellion. Northumberland agrees to ally with York.
false information about the outcome of the battle. He claims
that Hotspur, not King Henry, won and that the king bent his
head to the earl of Douglas and the rebels. He plans to pass Analysis
this information along to Hotspur's father, Northumberland, to
confound him. Rumor's foreshadowing in the Induction pays off in Act 1,
Scene 1. Northumberland assumes that Hotspur has died even
before hearing about it. Instead Lord Bardolph enters spouting
Analysis false news that he didn't bother to corroborate himself.
Northumberland is slow to believe it, but Bardolph is very
Rumor is both filling the audience in on the events that insistent, suggesting that perception, in this play, is as powerful
occurred in Henry IV, Part 1 and giving them a warning. He as truth.
admonishes them that false information in the form of gossip
(and rumor) is dangerous. He says, "From Rumor's tongues / Travers and then Lord Morton deliver the truth of Hotspur's
They bring smooth comforts false, worse than true wrongs" defeat at the hands of Prince Hal. The language Morton uses is
(39–40). Being told false good news is worse than being told full of visual cues, driving home the battle and loss.
the truth, even if the truth is painful or not what you want to Shakespeare uses beat down, earth, heavy, dead, spiritless,
hear. The truth will eventually come out and cause even more and other words to drive home the idea of death and loss.
pain. We see an example of this in Act 1, Scene 1 when Such language and imagery also serve to attack
Northumberland receives false news that his rebellion was a Northumberland with the death of his son.
success.
At the end of the scene, Morton speaks to Northumberland
about the archbishop of York's plans for rebellion.
Shakespeare via Morton brings up the history that led to these
Act 1, Scene 1 rebellions, with which a Renaissance English audience would
have been familiar. The history plays rely on the audience's
knowledge of the rebellions, and even with earlier plays in the
Summary series. Henry IV, Part 1 is a sequel to Richard II, which shows
just how Henry Bolingbroke became King Henry IV. He rebelled
Lord Bardolph arrives at the earl of Northumberland's castle in against the unpopular King Richard II and overthrew him,
what is likely Warkworth to relay news of the battle of sending him to prison where he was later murdered.
Shrewsbury. He tells Northumberland the rebels were
victorious, Hotspur killed Prince Hal, and King Henry was Lord Morton brings up Richard's death as the reason for the
gravely wounded. He himself didn't see the battle, but he heard archbishop's rebellion now. He asserts that it is Henry IV's
this from a gentleman. murder of Richard II that makes him a false king, and this is

why they must rebel. Henry IV is not the true king. This nearly unmatched in the play. He turns aside the Lord Chief
justification is used frequently in Henry IV, Part 2. The Wars of Justice's investigation, giving him nothing of use and doing so
the Roses started, in part, because there were multiple figures with deft wit. He is a gentle form of chaos, more interested in
with viable claims to the throne of England. having a good time and enjoying his pleasures, whether food,
women, or wine, than in "proper" values of the time, and he
does so unrepentantly. Perhaps this is what makes him such a
Act 1, Scene 2 popular figure—he seems, throughout most of the play, to be
the living embodiment of "No regrets."
Summary
Act 1, Scene 3
On a street in London, Falstaff and his page (assigned to him
by Prince Hal) discuss a recent urine sample he's submitted to
the doctor. Falstaff grows annoyed with the page's mockery Summary
and threatens to send him back to his master, who's too young
even to grow a beard. They are interrupted by the Lord Chief The archbishop of York meets with Lord Bardolph, Lord
Justice's arrival, who wants to know why Falstaff did not Mowbray, and Lord Hastings to discuss the rebellion at the
answer his summons to answer questions about the robbery archbishop's palace in York. They have 25,000 men, but they
Falstaff and his companions committed (in Henry IV, Part 1). fear it won't be enough to defeat the king without the help of
Northumberland. They reveal that the king is harried on three
Falstaff does his best to change the subject. The Lord Chief sides: by the French (the Hundred Years' War between France
Justice calls him a bad influence on Prince Hal and tells him the and England stretched intermittent fighting over the years
only reason he hasn't been arrested is because he is needed to 1337–1453), the Welsh rebellion led by Owen Glendower, and
fight in the king's wars. When Falstaff asks the Lord Chief the English rebels themselves. The archbishop says they
Justice for money, the justice refuses and leaves. Falstaff then should continue their rebellion, and the rebels set to resuming
sends his page out with a number of letters. the fight.
Analysis Analysis
Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's most popular characters and a As with Act 1, Scene 1 the archbishop frames his argument for
key player in Henry IV, Part 1, is reintroduced in this scene. He rebellion in terms of King Henry IV's usurpation of the throne.
is a larger-than-life character, almost a force of nature, and he Specifically he mentions Henry's popularity when he first
dominates any scene in which he appears. overthrew Richard II. Now his popularity has waned somewhat,
and people look at the past with different eyes. Effectively they
At first glance Falstaff is a craven and foolish man, completely
are misremembering or rewriting history, imagining that things
superficial and morally bankrupt. He fits the archetype of the
weren't as bad as they seemed under Richard II. Just as people
charming rogue. When we first see Falstaff in the play, he's
looked to the future under Henry to be better than under
asking his page about what the doctor said of his health (he's
Richard, so now do they look for a new leader to make things
being checked for sexually transmitted diseases), and we get
better than things are with Henry. It's worth noting the people
the first of many jokes. We also learn that he and his friends
don't seem too terribly concerned about a king's supposedly
have also been implicated in a robbery.
divine right to his throne.
Falstaff flouts the conventions of the time and his
In addition the archbishop and Lord Bardolph make mention of
station—although he fits the archetype of the witty clown on
the past rebellion and Hotspur's failings. Lord Hastings
the Elizabethan stage. He speaks to the Lord Chief Justice
believes their rebellion against Henry IV can't help but succeed,
insultingly, turning the man's words into something humorous
especially with Northumberland on their side. The archbishop
or mocking. His wit is his chief weapon, his skill with language

and Lord Bardolph take a more cautious view, reminding knows what he is, but she can't seem to help herself. She
Hastings of Hotspur's overconfidence at the Battle of believes his lies because she wants to. In fact, a number of
Shrewsbury that led to his defeat and death. They do not want other characters often do the same.
to succumb to those same faults.
The Lord Chief Justice seems unimpressed with Falstaff and is
certainly not one to fall for his flattery or humor. Their
Act 2, Scene 1 interaction illustrates the themes of father-son relationships in

the play. In Henry IV, Part 1 Falstaff has been in conflict with
King Henry IV as Prince Hal's father figure. In Henry IV, Part 2
the Lord Chief Justice steps into Henry's role as the king's
Summary health weakens. Falstaff represents Hal's past irresponsibility;
the Lord Chief Justice represents his future as a responsible
At the Eastcheap market in London, Mistress Quickly enters
monarch. Perhaps that is why he is one of the few able to
with Fang and Snare, ordering them to arrest Falstaff when he
resist Falstaff.
arrives for not paying his debts to her. She warns them—with
some sexual innuendo—that Falstaff is not afraid to use his
"weapon" and stabbed her in her own house. Falstaff arrives
with Bardolph (different from Lord Bardolph) and his page.
Act 2, Scene 2
When Fang and Snare try to arrest him, he orders Bardolph to
fight them.
Summary
The Lord Chief Justice arrives, drawn to the commotion.
Mistress Quickly relays the charges against Falstaff, including Prince Hal and Poins enter his quarters in London. Hal is
that he promised to marry her. Falstaff denies everything, complaining that he feels tired, and he resents the
implies that Mistress Quickly pretends to have had a son by responsibilities of being royal as well as the fact that so much
the Lord Chief Justice, and insists that he (Falstaff) is too is now considered beneath him—even too much familiarity with
dignified and important to deal with this mess, but the Lord companions like Poins. Poins asks why the prince speaks so
Chief Justice orders him to pay his debts. idly when his father is ill. Hal answers with a question: How
would it look were he to weep over his father's illness? Poins
Gower, a messenger, announces that the king and the prince tells Hal that people will think him a hypocrite if he says he is
are nearby. Falstaff takes Quickly aside and tells her he will sad about his father's health when he has spent so much time
have her money when he joins her and Doll Tearsheet for with men like Falstaff.
dinner that evening—although he needs to borrow some more
in the meantime. The Lord Chief Justice reminds Falstaff that Bardolph and the page enter with a letter for Prince Hal from
he needs to continue raising troops rather than waste his time Falstaff. Hal decides to visit Falstaff in disguise to spy on him.
in taverns, and he leaves with Gower. He pays the page and Bardolph to keep his plan secret.
Analysis Analysis
We get a further example of Falstaff's character in this scene In our first interaction with Prince Hal since Henry IV, Part 1, we
with Mistress Quickly trying to get paid the debts Falstaff owes can see the changes already working on him. In Part 1 he
her. When Fang and Snare attempt to apprehend him, Falstaff caroused with Falstaff, Poins, and other disreputable types to
orders Bardolph to fight them for him, again showing a bit of the disappointment of the king and his court. He behaved so
cowardice in not doing it himself. When the Lord Chief Justice with the idea that his sudden turnaround into a responsible
arrives, Falstaff once again insults the man. monarch would impress the court and country. When King
Henry IV exacts a promise from Prince Hal to act like the
However, we also see his charm at work as he convinces prince he is in Part 1 and reform his behavior, we see him here,
Quickly to drop the charges and lend him more money. Quickly in Henry IV, Part 2, working toward that aim.

Still Hal is unable to fully divest himself of his ties to

Falstaff—who, for Hal, represents youth, private life, and Act 2, Scene 4
freedom from the stifling role of a prince—just yet. Thus he
decides to spy on the man in the tavern later that evening. It is
interesting that his decision to seek out Falstaff in disguise Summary
comes right after his asking Poins about the hypocrisy of
grieving for his father while spending time with men like At a tavern in London, a drawer named Francis and the second
Falstaff. It ties into the theme of appearance versus reality. drawer discuss desserts and their comparison to Falstaff,
Prince Hal and Poins are going in disguise to see the true when another announces he needs two aprons and jerkins, a
nature of the man (even if it is in jest) when Falstaff doesn't short, close-fitting jacket. The prince and Poins plan to dress
know it is them. as serving men to spy on Falstaff during dinner. Mistress
Quickly, Doll Tearsheet, and Falstaff arrive shortly thereafter.
Pistol, a friend of Falstaff, enters despite Quickly's efforts to
Act 2, Scene 3 keep him out.
Pistol launches into a drunken rant, upsetting both women.

Falstaff chases him out, injuring Pistol in the shoulder. Prince
Summary Hal and Poins arrive as this is happening. Thinking that the
prince and Poins are elsewhere, Falstaff begins to insult both
Northumberland, Northumberland's wife, and Lady Percy (his of them; the two men in disguise go along with him to see what
daughter-in-law) walk outside what is likely Warkworth Castle he will say next.
and discuss the rebellion. The two women do not want him to
throw his forces in with the archbishop of York. They reveal themselves after a short time. Falstaff attempts to
Northumberland tells him that honor demands he go, but Lady backpedal, but then admits he spoke ill of them. Peto arrives to
Percy convinces him to reconsider. They ask him to flee to tell Prince Hal and Poins that the king is at Westminster. Hal,
Scotland and only join in the fighting when the time is right. He ashamed of wasting his time at the tavern, leaves with his
agrees. followers. Bardolph tells Falstaff his men are waiting for him.
Falstaff says goodbye to Quickly and Doll and departs. Doll
follows after him.
Analysis
In this scene the archbishop and Lord Bardolph's concerns Analysis
about becoming overconfident and counting on troops that do
not appear play out. Northumberland decides he will not use Still another layer of Falstaff's character is revealed in this
his troops to aid the rebellion. Lady Percy, Hotspur's widow, is scene in his interactions with Doll Tearsheet. They seem to
instrumental in getting Northumberland to make this decision. genuinely like each other, despite their comical bantering. He
She plays on his grief over the death of his son, reminding him shows he is more than braggadocio and bluster.
that he did not send his troops to aid Hotspur when it mattered
most. Whether out of guilt or a desire to save his own life, Fallstaff and Doll's conversation brings to light another theme
Northumberland relents. This will have dire consequences for present in the play: mortality. King Henry's health is failing, and
the archbishop's rebellion. Shakespeare goes out of his way to now we're reminded that Falstaff is growing old as well. As Hal
have this important decision take place, not out in the male- struggles with the mounting requirements of maturity, his two
dominated political world, but privately at home with the father figures are growing old and infirm. When Doll mentions a
women of Northumberland's family. death's head (a skull), Falstaff asks her not to remind him of his
end. But it is only a few lines later when he admits that he is
old, something he refused to acknowledge in an earlier scene
with the Lord Chief Justice. Falstaff is clearly feeling his years
and feels enough of a bond to Doll to admit it.

This scene drives another theme of the play: appearance despair as thoughts of the past, and how it informs the future,
versus reality. Prince Hal and Poins dress as serving men to haunt him. Henry mentions going to the Holy Land, Jerusalem,
observe Falstaff in secret. They think to play a prank on him, something that he's mentioned in previous plays. But he's not
but what they find is not humorous. Falstaff insults them both, just interested in making a personal pilgrimage: Henry, who
and only after they reveal who they are does he attempt to lived during the height of the Crusades, wants to launch one of
gloss over his harsh words. His false face has been caught out his own. Strife at home has kept him from what he sees as a
by Prince Hal and Poins in their false faces. The rift grows holy act.
between Hal and his former father figure, Falstaff,
foreshadowing the break that must occur when Hal becomes
king. Act 3, Scene 2
Act 3, Scene 1 Summary

Justice Shallow and Justice Silence, two country justices, talk
Summary about their misspent youths and the deaths of old friends.
They are waiting for Falstaff outside Shallow's house. Shallow
Ill and suffering insomnia, King Henry IV is up at night in his remembers his days spent in London with Falstaff, mentioning
palace at Westminster, discussing the hardships of being a that many of their friends from that time are dead. Silence says
ruler. The earls of Warwick and Surrey arrive, and they talk of that they will soon follow, to which Shallow replies that death is
Northumberland's betrayal. The king is worried that the rebels a certainty for all men.
claim to have 50,000 men, but Warwick refutes that, saying
they have perhaps half that number. He then tells Henry that Bardolph and Falstaff arrive. Falstaff asks if the two have
Glendower is dead, and gently tells King Henry that he is too gathered the men he requires. A line of men come forth, and
unwell to keep these late hours and should rest. Henry is Falstaff chooses among them for his recruits.
pleased, dismissing his vassals with a wish to visit the Holy

Mouldy, Shadow, Bullcalf, and Feeble are selected for the
Land when the domestic strife is ended.
muster, but Mouldy and Bullcalf approach Bardolph and bribe
their way out of it. Falstaff then picks Wart to fill in his ranks.
Upon questioning from Shallow, Falstaff delivers false reasons
Analysis for the change. After the others have left, Falstaff speaks of
the lying of old men.
Sleep plays an important role in the play and is mentioned in a
number of monologues. Here, Henry IV talks of being unable to
sleep. He mentions the common people that are able to sleep
and wonders why such a simple thing should be denied a king.
Analysis
This speech and scene is a nice lead up to Henry finally
In the conversations between Falstaff, Shallow, and Silence,
sleeping and Prince Hal believing him to be dead. It also gives
growing old and man's mortality come up several times. The
us one of the most famous lines in Shakespeare: "Uneasy lies
juxtaposition between King Henry IV's worries about his own
the head that wears a crown" (31). Henry IV contemplates the
mortality in the previous scene and Shallow and Silence in this
unfortunate side of being king and the downsides of monarchy.
one shows that death makes all equal. Whether a king or a
Sleep is not troubled when you lead a simple life, but with the
peasant or somewhere between, death comes for everyone.
power of kings comes burdens of royal magnitude.
But their frankness in the face of death contrasts with Henry's
When his noblemen arrive, Henry IV speaks of behavior in the previous scene: he was reassured by his
Northumberland's rebellion. Henry remembers Richard II's nobles, and imagined being able to launch a crusade to
prediction that Northumberland would rise against Henry just Jerusalem, even as he is clearly growing more unwell.
as Henry had risen against Richard. It sends the king into

The theme of appearance versus reality comes up again in this

scene. Falstaff says he is choosing the best men for his of the rebellion will be executed as traitors.
recruits. But he rejects Wart until Mouldy and Bullcalf bribe
Bardolph, who splits the proceeds with his master. Tellingly,
Falstaff speaks of old men being liars, of whom he is one. Analysis
The threat of rebellion is dealt with neatly in this scene, but
Act 4, Scene 1 Prince John's means are questionable. Prince John soothes
the archbishop, Mowbray, and Hastings by saying he sides with
them and his father has been unjust. After gaining their trust,
he suggests they dismiss their armies and talk of peace.
Summary
However, Prince John does not dismiss his troops and waits
The archbishop of York, Lord Mowbray, and Lord Hastings while the rebel army disbands before arresting the lords for
gather their forces at Gaultree Forest in Yorkshire. They've treason. He breaks faith with them. When the archbishop
discovered Northumberland has fled their cause and gone to questions him, he uses a technicality—he only promised to
Scotland. They are warned by a messenger that the king's bring their grievances before the king, not to forgive their
army approaches, and that it numbers nearly 30,000 strong. treason.
The earl of Westmoreland arrives. He asks the archbishop why The archbishop then asks if this seems "just and honorable" to
they rebel against the king. The archbishop answers, saying Prince John, who doesn't seem bothered by his duplicity in the
Henry wronged his people by killing Richard II, the rightful king, slightest. Westmoreland answers for the prince by bringing up
and would not listen to their grievances. their rebellion against the king. This serves as justification for
John's shady double-dealing. It is also indicative of the political
Westmoreland tells the assembled lords that he will bring their
necessity and ruthlessness that has driven these wars, begun
list of grievances before Prince John of Lancaster, who leads
in the play Richard II and continued through Richard III.
his father's army, in the hope that it will end the rebellion with
no further bloodshed. He takes the list from the archbishop The archbishop describes this as a particularly sick age: "we
and leaves. are all diseased, / And with our surfeiting and wanton hours /
Have brought ourselves into a burning fever ... Our late King
Mowbray is suspicious, but Hastings and the archbishop
Richard, being infected, died." The rightful king may have been
believe the king has exhausted his military resources and has
disposed, but he himself was not fit to lead. Nonetheless,
no choice but to end the war. Westmoreland returns with
Henry, as a usurper, can never be the rightful leader either.
Prince John, who meets with Mowbray, the archbishop, and
Hastings. Prince John's behavior dovetails nicely with King Henry IV's
"uneasy is the head" quote from earlier in the play. Trust is not
Prince John greets them. The rebels state they will fight if their
something a monarch can readily afford. These men may have
demands are not given consideration. John tells them that,
supported a rebellion against Richard II, but that doesn't mean
after looking over their articles of grievance, he believes his
they are necessarily loyal to Henry IV. Past deeds haunt
father has been unjust. The prince says they will send both
present ones and go on to impact the future. Readers are left
armies away and then drink together to cement the peace.
to wonder what Prince John's behavior will call forth in the
The rebel lords dismiss their men, but John's army does not future.
leave, not without a direct order from him. When Hastings
reports the rebel army has left, Westmoreland arrests the lords
for capital treason. When the archbishop accuses him of Act 4, Scene 2
breaking faith, John answers, admitting he said he would
consider their grievances, which he will, but they rebelled
against the king and must pay for their crimes. He then orders
that the retreating army be followed and punished. The leaders

Elizabeth and her nobility required acknowledgment of a

Summary certain interpretation of honor, but he also wrote for the
common man who took a different view. By putting his
At Gaultree Forest, Falstaff meets Sir John Colevile, a knight
questioning of Prince John's treatment of the rebel lords in the
fighting for the rebels. Colevile yields to Falstaff because of his
mouth of Falstaff—a wise fool—he can criticize without fear of
famous name, despite being seemingly unimpressed with the
giving offense to his patrons.
man himself. John of Lancaster enters to announce the defeat
of the rebellion and upbraids Falstaff for conveniently being Falstaff couches his complaints about Prince John in the
late to the battle. prince's refusal to drink wine. While the monologue is
humorous, it also serves as a point of critique. Falstaff is
Falstaff presents Colevile to Prince John and asks for a reward
pointing out what he considers a failing in the monarchy—they
for his capture. The prince is not impressed and sends Colevile
are too cold, too lacking in compassion and human feeling.
with Sir John Blunt so he can be executed with the other
rebels. He then tells the earl of Westmoreland that they will
return to court because he has heard that the king, his father,
is ill. Falstaff requests the prince to give a good report of him.
Act 4, Scene 3
Prince John agrees, even as he tells Falstaff he doesn't
deserve it. He leaves with Westmoreland.
Summary
Falstaff gives a speech about Prince John and young men like
him being of lesser quality because they do not drink. He At the palace, King Henry IV asks his sons Humphrey of
claims this is the difference between John and Prince Hal. Gloucester and Thomas of Clarence where Prince Hal is.
Falstaff says that John is dour and has no sense of humor, and Humphrey answers that he thinks he's hunting in Windsor. The
he blames it on the prince's father, King Henry IV. Prince Hal is king tells Thomas to support his brother after Hal is made king.
the only one who has shaken off his sire's "cold blood" Thomas agrees, but then admits that Hal is not hunting and is
because of the wine he drinks, which has allowed him to instead in the London taverns with Poins and others of his
"become very hot and valiant" (126). hangers-on.
Bardolph arrives and tells Falstaff that the army has been Henry IV worries when he hears of this, but the earl of Warwick
discharged. They leave for Gloucestershire to see Justice assures him that the prince is only observing Poins and the
Shallow—Falstaff has plans for him. rest: "The Prince but studies his companions / Like a strange
tongue, wherein, to gain the language." He argues Hal will cast
his disreputable friends aside when it is time for him to rule.
Analysis
The earl of Westmoreland arrives to tell the king how John has
This scene juxtaposes nicely with the scene before in terms of captured the archbishop of York, Lord Mowbray, and Lord
honorable battlefield behavior. Only a knight can accept the Hastings and scattered their army, ending the rebellion.
surrender of another knight, and then they will be ransomed (or Harcourt then enters to announce that Northumberland and
pay for their own release). This was one of the rules of Lord Bardolph were defeated in Yorkshire.
engagement—nobles rarely killed each other, preferring the
Even with this good news, the king is distressed. He falls into a
gold they'd receive with a successful capture and ransom.
fit while his sons and advisers worry for his health. When the
Colevile easily offers himself up to Falstaff, counting on the
king returns to his senses, he asks to be taken to a quiet
accepted battlefield rules to save him. It is a stark contrast to
chamber. He removes his crown and places it on a pillow.
Prince John and his treatment of the rebels: John is only
interested in his own concept of righteousness—and in keeping
Prince Hal arrives. After speaking with his brothers about their
his family in power—not in the conventions of battle.
father's illness, he is left alone with the king. Once left alone,
the prince speaks of the burdens that come with the crown,
Shakespeare was writing for several audiences, and he deftly
claiming that it has stifled his father even as it symbolized his
handles keeping both happy in this scene. Writing for Queen

power. Believing his father to be dead, he picks up the crown, king. He is breaking more clearly from Falstaff and his
places it on his head, and leaves. misspent youth and allying himself with his father.
King Henry IV wakes and becomes upset that his crown is This responsibility is echoed in King Henry IV's criticisms of Hal
missing. Warwick leaves to find Prince Hal, leaving the king when he wakes to find the crown gone from his pillow. He's
with his other two sons. The king speaks of the treachery of worried about his legacy. He fears Prince Hal will dismiss his
sons toward their fathers, arguing that they bring their children advisers, break the laws, and put his friends into positions of
power and riches only to be murdered for them. Warwick power: "Pluck down my officers, break my decrees, / For now a
returns and says that he found Prince Hal crying in the next time is come to mock at form. / Harry the Fifth is crowned. Up,
room. The prince enters and Henry calls him over, ordering vanity, / Down, royal state (271–74). Hal will undo everything
everyone else to leave. Henry IV has worked so hard to put in place, resulting in the
anarchy and wildness that characterizes the period before he
The king rebukes Hal for taking the crown before he was even took the throne.
dead, warning him he is not ready for the challenges it brings.
After he gets over his outrage that Hal would steal the crown Prince Hal's response comforts his father, showing he takes
before he's even dead, he finally speaks his concerns: that Hal the responsibility of legacy seriously. He promises to prove
will undo everything Henry IV has done during his kingship. what he says is true, that he will be a good king. Hal even
states he took the crown not out of longing for it but to look on
Prince Hal returns the crown and kneels, then explains that he it as an enemy, a murderer, for it is killing his father. Father and
thought his father to be dead—otherwise he would never have son are at last reunited.
dared take it. The king is satisfied, and they speak of other
things. Henry IV tells Hal of how he came to win the throne and In the king's advice to his son about ruling, the theme of the
hopes that Hal's ascension is easier. He suggests Hal keep his past haunting the present is illustrated again. Henry IV
lords busy with wars in foreign lands to keep them from suggests the wars he's fought as king are a result of all the
rebelling. Hal answers he will maintain the crown Henry has bloodshed necessary to win the crown in the first place. He
given him. tells Hal to focus on wars abroad in order to keep the peace at
home—they will keep those with rebellion on their mind busy
Prince John of Lancaster enters, along with the other brothers and away from England. This foreshadows the events in Henry
and attendants. King Henry asks the name of the room he V, and it points, again, to a corrupted and problematic world, in
collapsed in, and Warwick tells him it is called the Jerusalem which peacetime is no longer the goal of war—instead, a
chamber. Henry recounts a prophecy that said he would die in successful king merely focuses warlike energy in the right
Jerusalem, which he had assumed meant the Holy Land. He direction.
asks them to bear him back to that chamber to die.
In keeping with traditional stories about prophecies, Henry has
misinterpreted the prophecy of his death. He had wanted to go
Analysis to Jerusalem to atone for his part in the death of Richard II, but
he knows it is too late to make it there. In an instance of
There are a number of themes at work in this scene. Prince dramatic irony, the king travels to a different Jerusalem and
Hal's behavior with his old friends gives the appearance of him has a different reconciliation than he had expected. The
not caring about his role in the succession, but Henry IV's resolution of the prophecy seems to give Henry comfort and
advisers assure him this is not the case—rather, the prince has allows him to face death contentedly.
ulterior motives for doing so. Whether this is true or not
remains to be seen, but it muddies the waters of expectation.
Prince Hal's thoughts on the responsibilities of a king echo his

Act 5, Scene 1
father's thoughts in Act 3. Unlike Falstaff's comparison
between father and son in the previous scene, it seems they
are more alike than they first appear. In addition, Hal's speech
shows his personal growth from a young man into a future

Summary Analysis
At Justice Shallow's home in Gloucestershire, Shallow tries to This scene is the turning point in the play, and to some extent
convince Falstaff to stay. He is interrupted by one of his Henry IV, Part 1 as well. Prince Hal is fully transformed into King
servants, Davy, and the two go outside to speak of various Henry V. The nobles of the court, especially the Lord Chief
matters, including how to use Falstaff's connections to curry Justice, regard him with trepidation, still doubting his intentions
favor. Shallow convinces Falstaff to stay. Falstaff criticizes and seriousness. They were not privy to the conversation
Shallow and his servants for not knowing their proper places. father and son had, so they can only think they are still dealing
He finds them foolish, but he also wishes to amuse Prince Hal with the riotous Prince Hal. Thomas of Clarence even goes so
with stories about them. far as to tell the Lord Chief Justice he "must now speak Sir
John Falstaff fair, / Which swims against your stream of
quality" (34–35).
Analysis
The Lord Chief Justice plays an important role in the creation
With Falstaff's return to Gloucestershire, Shakespeare of King Henry V. He is a symbol of Henry's repudiation of
contrasts the thorny and elevated life of the nobility with the Falstaff and all he represents. With Henry IV dead, the Lord
more rustic aspects of country justices. He treads the fine line Chief Justice now becomes Henry V's father figure, as the king
of appealing to both his noble patrons and the commoners himself says, "You shall be as a father to my youth" (119). His
(groundlings) in the cheap seats of The Globe. This interplay of ascendency to kingship is complete. Henry V is setting aside
higher- and lower-class settings is typical of Shakespeare and Falstaff, Prince Hal's father figure, and his chaotic life,
often provides comic relief or commentary on the more lawbreaking ways, and carousing, in favor of the Lord Chief
somber royal events. In this case it is a useful reminder that Justice, a man who exemplifies the rule of law. Significantly he
despite the high stakes of rebellion and rule, private life has specifically done this despite having reason to personally
continues. dislike the Lord Chief Justice, showing he values the concerns
of his kingdom more than those of his private life.
Act 5, Scene 2
Act 5, Scene 3
Summary
Summary
At the palace, the Earl of Warwick informs the Lord Chief
Justice of King Henry IV's death. The Lord Chief Justice is In Justice Shallow's garden in Gloucestershire, Falstaff, Justice
concerned that Prince Hal—now King Henry V—will bear him a Silence, Shallow, Bardolph, Davy, and the page drink, sing
grudge for his past treatment of him. The younger princes, songs, and converse. Pistol arrives with the news that King
John of Lancaster, Humphrey of Gloucester, and Thomas of Henry IV has died and Prince Hal is King Henry V. Falstaff is
Clarence, enter with similar concerns, and comment that the pleased and readies himself to go to London because he
Lord Chief Justice will have to treat Falstaff better than he believes he'll be rewarded now that Prince Hal is king. He tells
deserves. his companions to prepare themselves for similar rewards,
boasting that "the laws of England are at my commandment"
King Henry V arrives. He speaks to the Lord Chief Justice, because he anticipates a change in the administration of the
saying he has not forgotten the man's treatment of him in the law with the dispossession of the Lord Chief Justice.
past. The Lord Chief Justice states he was following King
Henry IV's orders and did his duty. The new king agrees the
justice did the right thing and tells him he will expect the same
behavior when he has a son of his own. They are reconciled.

Shallow and Pistol that he will have the new king shower all of
Analysis them with favors. As they await the new king's procession,
Pistol informs Falstaff that Doll Tearsheet has been arrested,
This scene returns to Falstaff and Gloucestershire, again a
and Falstaff resolves to get her released.
lively contrast to the stiffness of the kingly scene before it.
There are singing and jokes, food and wine, a revelry rather When Falstaff tries to speak to King Henry V, the Lord Chief
than a funeral—quite the contrast from the stress present in Justice intervenes at the king's command. Then Henry tells
the previous scene. Falstaff that "I know thee not, old man." He says that if they
change their ways and prove themselves, they will be judged
When Falstaff receives news of Prince Hal's ascension to the
according to their skills and qualities, but "Till then I banish
throne, he races off to see him. In this moment he reveals his
thee, on pain of death, / As I have done the rest of my
genuine fondness for Hal, even as he's promising his followers
misleaders, / Not to come near our person by ten mile." He
high positions in the new king's administration. He legitimately
grants Falstaff an allowance to keep him from resorting to
seems to want to be at Hal's side, though his selfish desires
crime out of poverty.
quickly find expression. He certainly plans to use his position
for wealth and advancement. Falstaff can't know how much Falstaff is shocked but still believes the king will call for him in
Hal, his friend, has disappeared into the new King Henry V. private to give him his reward. No one believes him. Shallow
Shakespeare sets up this good-hearted moment to later dash demands payment of the bet Falstaff made with him. They are
it when Henry repudiates him in public. all led away to jail by the Lord Chief Justice's men.
Prince John of Lancaster praises the new king's decision to the

Act 5, Scene 4 Lord Chief Justice as Falstaff is led away. He says he expects
England will be at war with France before the end of the year.
Summary Analysis
On a London street, Mistress Quickly and Doll Tearsheet have
This scene is the conclusion of King Henry V's evolution. He
been arrested on suspicion of murder of a man in the tavern.
always planned to give up his rowdy lifestyle when it was time
Doll Tearsheet claims she's pregnant, which would mean she
to become king—something he mentioned as far back as Act 1,
can't be executed until after her child is born. They leave with
Scene 2 in Henry IV, Part 1. Now it comes to fruition, but
the Beadle.
Falstaff is the last to know.
Prince Hal's break with Falstaff has been telegraphed

Analysis throughout the play. He has very few scenes with the man,
reflecting that he's been distancing himself from the portly
All of Prince Hal's old compatriots are being rounded up for
knight, and he reconciles with his father before he dies. Henry
their misdeeds. This scene shows the wrapping up of the old
V's new partnership with the Lord Chief Justice cements
guard, an illustration of Henry's break with his lawless and
Falstaff's replacement as a father figure. In a way the son has
rowdy past.
outgrown the father. Prince Hal has grown up. Even his
speech—extremely formal, and references to himself in the
first-person plural—sounds completely different.
Act 5, Scene 5
Whether readers/audiences feel sympathy for Falstaff
depends on whether they believed him to sincerely like Hal. His
Summary excited greeting at seeing the new king is crushed by a cold

rebuke: "I know thee not, old man" (47), increasing readers'
On a street near Westminster Abbey, Falstaff brags to Justice sympathy for Falstaff. He holds to the belief that Hal will call
for him to advance him in private, even though no one believes

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Quotes 22
him, further encouraging sympathy at his painful optimism.

g Quotes
To drive home the change in him, Henry V has his new father
figure, the Lord Chief Justice, deal with his old one. Henry
orders, "My Lord Chief Justice, speak to that vain man" (43), as "Upon my tongues continual
if he doesn't even want to deal with Falstaff. Effectively he's
setting his future against his past as a way to banish it. Falstaff
slanders ride, / The which in every
and his compatriots are dragged off. Law has triumphed over language I pronounce, / Stuffing
chaos. Order has been restored—even if it means punishing
Falstaff, whom Shakespeare's audience loved. the ears of men with false
The scene ends with Prince John predicting that England will
reports."
soon be at war with France, foreshadowing the action in the
final play of the Henriad, Henry V. This also hearkens back to — Rumor, Induction
King Henry IV's advice to his son to keep his nobles busy with
foreign wars to ensure his rule.
Rumor explains the harm he does by spreading false
information. He is not limited by language or lands because
rumor is everywhere, spreading lies and slander.
Epilogue
"But let one spirit of the firstborn
Summary
Cain / Reign in all bosoms, that,
A dancer apologizes for the unhappy ending and asks the
each heart being set / On bloody
audience for forgiveness. He says the story of Falstaff will
continue and that Katherine of France will amuse them. He also courses, the rude scene may end,
disavows the resemblance between Falstaff and John
/ And darkness be the burier of
Oldcastle (the person Falstaff was supposed to be based
upon) since Oldcastle died a martyr and Falstaff was definitely the dead."
not one.
— Northumberland, Act 1, Scene 1
Analysis
Northumberland suffers furious grief when he finds out his son,
Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's most popular and beloved Hotspur, died at the Battle of Shrewsbury. He vows revenge on
characters. He knew audiences wished to see more of him, so those who killed him (King Henry IV and Prince Hal), invoking
he promises a play to assuage audience members upset at the the biblical Cain who slew his brother.
ending of Henry IV, Part 2. His death is handled off page in
Henry V, but Falstaff appears once more in The Merry Wives of
Windsor. Supposedly he wrote it because the queen requested "I can get no remedy against this
more Falstaff.
consumption / of the purse.
He denies the resemblance between the character of Falstaff
Borrowing only lingers and lingers
and the real-life man, John Oldcastle (c. 1378–1417).
Oldcastle's family was not pleased at Shakespeare's work / it out, but the disease is
(originally he had named Falstaff John Oldcastle), and he did
not want to offend wealthy patrons.
incurable."

— Falstaff, Act 1, Scene 2

drinking good and good store / of
Falstaff is a loveable rogue who constantly borrows and steals

fertile sherris, that he is become
money from friends, lovers, and acquaintances. He likens his very hot and valiant."
spending with the disease consumption, saying that no matter
how much he borrows, his purse will never be filled because he
spends it all.
Falstaff believes that Henry IV's cold-bloodedness has been

overcome in Prince Hal because the prince drinks. He has
"And so, with great imagination /
overcome the deficiencies of his lordly blood by engaging in
Proper to madmen, led his powers the common practice, as he did with Falstaff, and that makes
him a good man and leader.
to death / And, winking, leapt into
destruction."
"Why doth the crown lie there
— Lord Bardolph, Act 1, Scene 3
upon his pillow, / Being so
Lord Bardolph is referring to Hotspur during his rebellion

troublesome a bedfellow? / O
against the king. He was a passionate and fiery man who could polished perturbation, golden care,
rouse his men to war, but his fire burned too bright and
eventually led to his defeat and death.
/ That keep'st the ports of slumber
open wide / To many a watchful
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a night!"
crown." — Prince Hal, Act 4, Scene 3
— King Henry IV, Act 3, Scene 1

Prince Hal considers the crown that has caused his father so
much trouble. It has cost Henry IV his health and peace of
The crown is a heavy responsibility and has not brought Henry mind. He struggles to understand how such a small thing can
IV any peace. Kingship is difficult and dangerous, and it has cause so much grief, even though he knows the responsibility
cost him his peace of mind. It also literally threatens his life—a is great. He is coming to terms with becoming king,
king's head is never safe on his shoulders. acknowledging the crown's importance and power.
"Hereof comes it that Prince Harry "Dost thou so hunger for mine
is / valiant, for the cold blood he empty chair / That thou wilt needs
did naturally inherit / of his father invest thee with my honors /
he hath, like lean, sterile, and bare Before thy hour be ripe? O foolish
/ land, manured, husbanded, and youth, / Thou seek'st the
tilled with excellent / endeavor of greatness that will overwhelm

all that his father has offered him. He vows that he will be a
thee."
good king, reconciling with his father and assuaging his fears.
"So the question stands. / Briefly,

King Henry IV accuses Prince Hal of stealing his crown while
he slept, thinking he was dead. Based on his misgivings about
to this end: we are all diseased /
his son's character, he believes that Hal wishes him dead And with our surfeiting and wanton
sooner, impatient to take his place. He upbraids Hal, telling him
he is not ready for the challenges the crown brings. hours / Have brought ourselves
into a burning fever, / And we
"God knows, my son, / By what must bleed for it; of which disease
bypaths and indirect crook'd ways / Our late King Richard, being
/ I met this crown, and I myself infected, died."
know well / How troublesome it — Archbishop of York, Act 4, Scene 1
sat upon my head. / To thee it
shall descend with better quiet, / The archbishop speaks to Westmoreland of why he and the
other lords rebel against the king. The state of the nation is a
Better opinion, better direct reflection of the state of the monarchy and vice versa.
They are symbiotic. Richard was a weak king that made
confirmation."
England weaker, but now they have a new infection in the form
of a usurper to the throne.
Henry IV reflects upon his path to the crown. He overthrew "Sweet princes, what I did I did in
Richard II by rebelling, but he has been beset by rebellions
against him throughout his reign. He hopes that his son has an
honor, / Led by th' impartial
easier time since Prince Hal follows proper laws of succession. conduct of my soul; / ... / If truth
and upright innocency fail me, / I'll
"You won it, wore it, kept it, gave it to the king my master that is dead
me. / Then plain and right must my / And tell him who hath sent me
possession be, / Which I with after him."
more than with a common pain /
— Lord Chief Justice, Act 5, Scene 2
'Gainst all the world will rightfully
maintain." The Lord Chief Justice assures the other princes that he will
not apologize to King Henry V for having upheld the law. He did
— Prince Hal, Act 4, Scene 3 the right thing based on what King Henry IV ordered him to do,
and he stands by his actions, though he is afraid that Henry V
wants revenge for the way the Lord Chief Justice treated him
Prince Hal accepts his duty and responsibility, acknowledging

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Symbols 25
and his friends. Prince Hal, now King Henry V, makes an official break with
Falstaff that is particularly harsh. He denies their friendship
and ever knowing him. The new king is acknowledging that he
"You shall be as a father to my is past his callow youth and has taken up the mantle of a true
monarch.
youth, / My voice shall sound as
you do prompt mine ear, / And I
will stoop and humble my intents / l Symbols
To your well-practiced wise
directions."
The Crown
— Prince Hal, Act 5, Scene 2
The crown represents a monarch's power, but in Henry IV, Part

Prince Hal, now King Henry V, finds a new father figure in the
2 it carries special significance as a symbol of the
Lord Chief Justice. He asks the man to stay on and be his
responsibilities of kingship. So readers can expect that scenes
adviser, like he was to the last king. He wants the Lord Chief
referencing the crown will be tied up in the theme of power
Justice as his mentor, filling the place where Falstaff once
and responsibility. King Henry IV refers to the weight of his
stood.
crown when he tells us how tired he is, saying, "Uneasy lies the
head that wears a crown" (Act 3, Scene 1). To him the crown is
not a privilege but a heavy weight of his kingly responsibility.
"Stand here by me, Master His health is poor, and he doesn't sleep well as he's assaulted
by his guilt over killing the rightful king, Richard II. It's also a
(Robert) Shallow. I / will make the
covert reference to the likelihood of being deposed—of one's
King do you grace. I will leer upon / head not necessarily remaining on one's shoulders.
him as he comes by, and do but Prince Hal has similar reservations about the crown, even
blaming it for his father's illness. He is afraid he's not up for the
mark the countenance / that he
challenge of kingship after seeing what it did to his father. The
will give me." crown is a burden that both father and son must bear.
Hal takes the crown when he thinks Henry has died. But Henry
IV wakes and becomes furious at the thought that Hal was in
such a hurry to take up his mantle as king that he stole the
Falstaff still labors under the belief that he will be advanced in crown. He accuses Hal of wishing Henry dead before his time.
position once Henry V is on the throne. He has made grandiose In this case the crown is a symbol of usurping the throne,
promises to all of his friends that they can ride his coattails to something that Henry IV is very sensitive about since he gained
power. Here he plans to greet the king, expecting to be taken the throne through rebellion and murder.
up during the coronation.
Finally, when Hal returns the crown to Henry IV it does not
simply represent the political passage of power, it is a physical
representation of the reconciliation of father and son. He's
"I know thee not, old man."
accepting his place in the dynastic line his father founded. Hal
willingly concedes the symbol of his father's power, only to
— Prince Hal, Act 5, Scene 5 receive it later, and ascends to the throne as King Henry V
when Henry IV dies.

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Themes 26
course of the play.

Illness
When Henry IV dies, Hal—now King Henry V—must find a new
father figure, something more in line with his new role. The
chaotic Falstaff does not suit this role. The Lord Chief Justice,
Imagery of illness pervades the play. King Henry IV's sickness
the man who watched Hal on Henry IV's orders in Henry IV,
runs parallel to the sickness of the monarchy and the country
Part 1, becomes the stabilizing influence on the young king. The
itself. The health of the king affects the health of the country.
Lord Chief Justice represents the rule of law and order,
This is a common theme in Shakespeare's history plays.
whereas Falstaff symbolizes chaos and self-interest. One of
Similarly, a disorder in the monarchy, such as Henry IV's
Henry IV's biggest concerns for his son was that Hal would not
usurpation of the throne, will be reflected in a disordered
temper himself and ruin all that he'd built by letting England
society. Since Henry IV took the throne, his reign has been rife
sink into anarchy. Instead Hal rises to the occasion after Henry
with uprisings and conflict. The king is literally the body politic,
IV's death and makes amends with the Lord Chief Justice.
and his own health is tied to the health of his country.
Henry V even calls him "father," making the transition from one
The archbishop of York also draws a similar comparison. He father figure to the other complete.
states the English people are ill with the same sickness that
infected and killed King Richard II—whom Shakespeare
represents as weak and unfit to rule. The people were
suffering under Richard, their own state reflecting that of the Appearance versus Reality
monarch. Because the kings have been unsettled and ill, so too
are the people they rule. The king's health is intimately linked
with the land and his subjects. There are a number of instances of appearance versus reality
in Henry IV, Part 2. Rumor opens the play by stating that he will
spread false information about the outcome of the Battle of
Shrewsbury. Northumberland receives the news of his son's
m Themes triumph, only to find out the true outcome later in the scene.
His own lords aren't to be trusted because they bring him false
news.
Father-Son Relationships In Act 1, Scene 2 Sir John Falstaff attempts to buy new clothes
with his money. The vendors do not trust him with a line of
credit because they know he will not pay it back. He strives for
There are several father-son pairings in Henry IV, Part 2. The the appearance of wealth, but he does not, in truth, have the
most important is that of King Henry IV and Prince Hal. Though means to back it up. He is show, not substance, and strives to
they were reconciled at the end of Henry IV, Part 1, they are still appear greater than he is. He swindles more money from
at odds because Hal still has not disengaged fully from his old Mistress Quickly (after failing in his promise to marry her and
companions and still seems reluctant to take on the pay her back) in a series of cons.
responsibility of rulership.
Likewise, in Act 2, Scene 2 Prince Hal asks Poins about his
As Hal grows into the role, he sacrifices a figurative father-son father, King Henry IV, specifically if people would believe he is
relationship with Sir John Falstaff. In Part 1 he and Falstaff sad his father is dying. Poins tells him that Hal's behavior would
were close, with Falstaff giving him advice and offering his lead people to doubt his sincerity and make them think he's a
friendship, but the two only share two scenes in all of Part 2. hypocrite. Hal does feel sorrow at his father's impending
This is in part because of Hal's distancing himself from his past passing, but because of his actions in Henry IV, Part 1 he would
as he readies himself to be king and partially because Falstaff not be seen as sincere if he expresses his true feelings.
is not necessarily a good influence on him. While Hal may enjoy
Later in that same scene, Hal and Poins decide to disguise
the wild nights and law breaking, it is not appropriate behavior
themselves to play a joke and spy on Falstaff. Hal dresses up
for the king of England, whom he slowly becomes over the

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Themes 27
as a serving man, pretending to be a commoner rather than the Prince Hal has not only a responsibility to his father but also to
prince he is. While disguised, they hear Falstaff insulting both the people he will rule. Prince Hal must move beyond his
Hal and Poins. Falstaff has always been a friend to them, so it youthful wildness and prove he can rule England. Even the
surprises them to hear what he says when they are not other princes and the royal court are concerned about his
present. Hal and Poins encourage Falstaff in his insults until ability based on his wild past. They assume he'll place Sir John
they reveal themselves, and he immediately begins to try to Falstaff and his friends in a position of power because that's
separate himself from his words. the only face Hal has shown to them.
Prince John of Lancaster practices deceit in his dealings with Prince Hal and Henry IV speak at length of the responsibilities
the rebels. He comes under the appearance of calling a truce of rulership after their reconciliation. They bond over the effort
and making peace. He pretends to dismiss his army as the it takes to rule wisely and well and the cost to them. Prince
rebel leaders dismiss theirs. Then he arrests the rebel lords for Hal's vow that he will be a good king and preserve his father's
treason and orders his men to round up the retreating army. legacy, that he will take up the responsibility of wise
His appearance of peaceful negotiations was a lie to gain governance, soothes Henry IV. Though Henry IV is relieved, it is
victory. only when King Henry V accepts the Lord Chief Justice as his
mentor and renounces Falstaff do the others realize that Henry
One of the few characters that seems above the deceitful plans to rule responsibly.
dealings of most in the play is the Lord Chief Justice. As a man
associated with law and order, he appears as the only man
whose deeds and words consistently match. It is no wonder
why, when King Henry V ascends the throne, he chooses this Usurpation and Legitimacy
man as his new father figure to help guide him in what it takes
to be a good monarch.
King Henry IV's rule has been plagued by rebellion, in part

because of his usurpation of King Richard II. Throughout the
Power and Responsibility medieval period and into the Renaissance, European
monarchies were partially propped up by the belief in the divine
right of kings to rule the land, something that Henry IV does not
possess. He understands that Hal's rule will be seen as more
Henry IV, Part 2 is one of Shakespeare's multiple attempts to "legitimate" because of his inheritance of the crown through
answer the question of what makes a good king. Both King Henry IV.
Henry IV and Prince Hal spend much of the play grappling with
this question. Henry IV fears that Hal's riotous nature will ruin This deviation from following the right of rulership is one of the
everything he has built, and that he will be unable to rise to the issues that bothers Henry IV so much in the play. Richard II
heights needed to be a successful monarch. He is focused on may have been an unpopular monarch, he may have been seen
the transition of power from father to son. as weak, but he was still the rightful king. When Henry
overthrew him and took his place—instead of allowing Edward
In addition readers see the consequences of power play out in Mortimer to take the throne—he went against the line of
Henry IV's declining health. He is unable to sleep, pursued by succession. As a usurper he thus cannot invoke the divine right
guilt and fear of treason because he usurped the crown from of kings, which worked as a powerful tool in maintaining peace
the rightful monarch, exemplified by his line, "Uneasy lies the and stability in England. His rule is fraught with rebellions from
head that wears a crown." After Prince Hal takes the crown, Wales, Scotland, and his own lords who were once his allies.
thinking his father has passed and blaming the crown for his Until the rightful monarchy is restored, there is a sense of
illness and decline, Henry IV immediately jumps to the uncertainty and upheaval since neither Henry nor his
conclusion that Hal can't wait to take his place—that he wishes descendants can honestly claim legitimacy.
for his own father's death to hurry along his ascension to the
throne.

Henry IV, Part 2 Study Guide Suggested Reading 28
e Suggested Reading
Bass, Eben. "Falstaff and the Succession." College English, vol.
24, no. 7, Apr. 1963, pp. 502–06.
Berger, Harry. Harrying: Skills of Offense in Shakespeare's

Henriad. Fordham UP, 2015.
Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human.

Riverhead, 1998.
Draper, John W. "Sir John Falstaff." The Review of English

Studies, vol. 8, no. 32, Oct. 1932, pp. 414–24.
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jurisdictions and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent. Contact Course Hero
with respect to reproduction or distribution. This document was downloaded from Coursehero.com on 07-19-2021
by 100000817764887.

Henry IV, Part 2: What's Inside in Context

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Henry IV, Part 2: What's Inside in Context

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Henry IV, Part 2

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What's Inside d In Context

j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1

Succession, Divine Right, and

Historical Sources and Artistic a Author Biography

Development of Falstaff playwright in London. Shakespeare was an actor, writer, and

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Mentor Father figure

Falstaff Lord Chief Justice

Other Major Character

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Full Character List The knight Sir John Blunt is a

Peter Bullcalf is recruited into the

Two drawers, one of whom is

Lord Bardolph is one of the rebel A supporter of King Henry IV,

Lord Hastings is one of the rebel

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Prince Humphrey, duke of A friend of Prince Hal and

Prince John, duke of Lancaster, is A tavern proprietress and madam,

A personification of rumors and

Simon Shadow is recruited into

Henry Percy, the earl of

Northumberland's wife is mother

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way out of it. While Falstaff banters with Quickly, Doll

One of the rebel knights, Sir John Colevile, surrenders to

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At the home of Justice Shallow, Pistol arrives with news of the

Mistress Quickly and Doll Tearsheet are arrested on suspicion

Following the coronation, Falstaff and his retinue come to see

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Rising Action Falling Action

4. Prince Hal and Poins spy on Falstaff as he insults them.

5. King Henry IV worries Prince Hal will misrule the kingdom.

8. Prince Hal and King Henry IV reconcile.

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The earl of Northumberland receives word that his son is

Falstaff returns to London to continue his carousing

The archbishop of York and the rebels meet to discuss

The earl of Northumberland decides not to support the

In London Prince Hal and Poins play a joke on Falstaff

King Henry IV prepares for war against the rebel lords.

Falstaff travels the countryside to recruit soldiers for the

The rebels meet with John of Lancaster to discuss their

Falstaff captures a rebel knight and speaks with John,

King Henry IV and Prince Hal reconcile.

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King Henry IV dies, and Prince Hal becomes King Henry

King Henry V confronts Falstaff in the street and orders

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Northumberland's servant, Travers, arrives bearing different

Induction he's wrong. Lord Morton backs Travers's version of events.

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Act 2, Scene 1 interaction illustrates the themes of father-son relationships in

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Still Hal is unable to fully divest himself of his ties to

Pistol launches into a drunken rant, upsetting both women.

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Act 3, Scene 1 Summary

pleased, dismissing his vassals with a wish to visit the Holy