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Henry IV
Set in the years 1402–1403, the story of Henry IV takes
place nearly two centuries before Shakespeare’s own time. In general, it
follows real events and uses historical figures, although Shakespeare
significantly alters or invents history where it suits him. For instance,
the historical
Hotspur was not the same age as
Prince Harry, and
Shakespeare’s Mortimer is a conflation of two separate individuals. The play
refers back to the history covered in Richard II (which can be considered
its prequel), and a familiarity with the events of Richard II is
helpful for understanding the motivations of various characters in Henry
IV.
Among Shakespeare’s most famous creations is Falstaff, Prince Harry’s fat,
aged, and criminally degenerate mentor and friend. Falstaff’s irreverent wit
is legendary. He has many historical precedents: he owes much to archetypes
like the figure of Vice from medieval morality plays and Gluttony from
medieval pageants about the seven deadly sins. His character also draws on
both the miles glorious figure, an arrogant soldier from classical Greek and
Roman comedy, and the Lord of Misrule, the title given an individual
appointed to reign over folk festivities in medieval England. Ultimately,
however, Falstaff is a Shakespearean creation, second among Shakespearean
characters only to Hamlet as a subject of critical interest.
The play mixes history and comedy innovatively, moving from
lofty scenes involving kings and battles to base scenes involving ruffians
drinking and engaging in robberies. Its great strengths include a remarkable
richness and variety of texture, a fascinatingly ambiguous take on history
and on political motivations, and a new kind of characterization, as found
in the inimitable Falstaff.
When the play opens, military news interrupts the aging King
Henry’s plans to lead a crusade. The Welsh rebel Glyndwr has defeated King
Henry’s army in the South, and the young Harry Percy (nicknamed Hotspur),
who is supposedly loyal to King Henry, is refusing to send to the king the
soldiers whom he has captured in the North. King Henry summons Hotspur back
to the royal court so that he can explain his actions.
Meanwhile, King Henry’s son, Prince Harry, sits drinking in a bar with
criminals and highwaymen. King Henry is very disappointed in his son; it is
common knowledge that Harry, the heir to the throne, conducts himself in a
manner unbefitting royalty. He spends most of his time in taverns on the
seedy side of London, hanging around with vagrants and other shady
characters. Harry’s closest friend among the crew of rascals is Falstaff, a
sort of substitute father figure. Falstaff is a worldly and fat old man who
steals and lies for a living. Falstaff is also an extraordinarily witty
person who lives with great gusto. Harry claims that his spending time with
these men is actually part of a scheme on his part to impress the public
when he eventually changes his ways and adopts a more noble personality.
Falstaff’s friend Poins arrives at the inn and announces that
he has plotted the robbery of a group of wealthy travelers. Although Harry
initially refuses to participate, Poins explains to him in private that he
is actually playing a practical joke on Falstaff. Poins’ plan is to hide
before the robbery occurs, pretending to ditch Falstaff. After the robbery,
Poins and Harry will rob Falstaff and then make fun of him when he tells the
story of being robbed, which he will almost certainly fabricate.
Hotspur arrives at King Henry’s court and details the reasons
that his family is frustrated with the king: the Percys were instrumental in
helping Henry overthrow his predecessor, but Henry has failed to repay the
favor. After King Henry leaves, Hotspur’s family members explain to Hotspur
their plan to build an alliance to overthrow the king.
Harry and Poins, meanwhile, successfully carry out
their plan to dupe Falstaff and have a great deal of fun at his expense. As
they are all drinking back at the tavern, however, a messenger arrives for
Harry. Harry’s father has received news of the civil war that is brewing and
has sent for his son; Harry is to return to the royal court the next day.
Although the Percys have gathered a formidable group of
allies around them—leaders of large rebel armies from Scotland and Wales as
well as powerful English nobles and clergymen who have grievances against
King Henry—the alliance has begun to falter. Several key figures announce
that they will not join in the effort to overthrow the king, and the danger
that these defectors might alert King Henry of the rebellion necessitates
going to war at once.
Hearing his father’s request, Harry returns to the palace.
King Henry expresses his deep sorrow and anger at his son’s behavior and
implies that Hotspur’s valor might actually give him more right to the
throne than Prince Harry’s royal birth. Harry decides that it is time to
reform, and he vows that he will abandon his wild ways and vanquish Hotspur
in battle in order to reclaim his good name. Drafting his tavern friends to
fight in King Henry’s army, Harry accompanies his father to the battlefront.
The civil war is decided in a great battle at Shrewsbury. Harry boldly saves
his father’s life in battle and finally wins back his father’s approval and
affection. Harry also challenges and defeats Hotspur in single combat. King
Henry’s forces win, and most of the leaders of the Percy family are put to
death. Falstaff manages to survive the battle by avoiding any actual
fighting.
Powerful rebel forces remain in Britain, however, so King
Henry must send his son and his forces to the far reaches of his kingdom to
deal with them. When the play ends, the ultimate outcome of the war has not
yet been determined; one battle has been won, but another remains to be
fought. 
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