| − | '''The First Part of King Henry IV''' is a play written by [[William Shakespeare]] about a time of rebellion during the reign of King Henry IV of England. It also gives Shakespeare a time to develop two characters of note: Henry Percy (surnamed Hotspur) and Sir John Falstaff. Hotspur is one of the rebels. He is a rash man, who loves war more than peace. In the end he dies at the hands of Henry IV's son, Prince Hal. Sir John Falstaff is a comical figure, who is a close friend of the Prince. However humorous, he wastes his time in taverns drinking sack. At the end he also fights in the climatic battle, but fakes death to save his life. The play is second in Shakespeare's later tetrology about English history. | + | '''The First Part of King Henry IV''' is a play written by [[William Shakespeare]] about a time of rebellion during the reign of King [[Henry IV]] of England. Shakespeare develops two significant characters in the play: Henry Percy (surnamed Hotspur) and Sir John Falstaff. Hotspur is a rash man, who loves war more than peace and helps instigate a rebellion. In the end he dies at the hands of Henry IV's son, [[Henry V|Prince Hal]]. Sir John Falstaff is a comical figure, who is a close friend of the Prince. However humorous, he wastes his time in taverns drinking sack. At the end he also fights in the climatic battle, but fakes death to save his life. While Hotspur is based on a real person, Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character. The play is second in Shakespeare's later tetrology about English history. |