Difference between revisions of "The First Part of King Henry IV"
Additioner (talk | contribs) (New page: '''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...) |
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| − | '''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 rash, and loves war more than peace. In the end he dies a fatal death 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 humerous, 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 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 rash, and loves war more than peace. In the end he dies a fatal death 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 humerous, 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. |
| + | ==Synopsis== | ||
| + | The play opens after the funeral of the late-murdered King Richard II. King Henry IV expresses his desire to go to Jerusalem in a crusade. He will not, however, because of the recent threatening Scottish wars. He also muses that one of his nobles, Northumberland, has a son called Hotspur, who has recently won a great victory. He compares Hotspur with his own son, Prince Hal, and grieves over his son's foolishness. We see Prince Hal, in the next scene, spending time at taverns with a fat old knight called Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is ultimately bad company for the prince, drinking too much as well as robbing. However, when alone, Prince Hal says he will one day put off his company and look more lordly because of it. Then we see King Henry demmand Hotspur's prisoners or his sure displeasure. Hotspur is unhappy at the King's rejection of Edmund Mortimer (who was the heir to Richard II.) He then plans with his uncle and father to start a rebellion to put Edmund Mortimer on the throne. | ||
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| + | While Prince Hal spends his time in fun and games at taverns with Falstaff, Hotspur brings a rebellion to actuality. He allies with Owen Glendower of Wales and Douglas of Scotland. However, he acts to fast and the rebellion is discovered. The King calls for forces to march and quench the rebellion. Prince Hal gets his foolish companions to enter into the army. They march to Shrewsbury, where Hotspur tries to gather forces. Only He, his uncle and the Earl of Douglas arrive in time for battle. The King tries to send words of peace, but treachery is committed and the message is not delivered. The battle begins. Lords are killed on both sides. Prince Henry does brave feats, even saving his father's life. The end comes when he fights Hotspur in a sword-fight and kills him. During the fight Falstaff fakes dead to save his life and then takes credit for killing Hotspur. The play ends with the defeat of the rebellion. | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry IV, The First Part of}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Henry IV, The First Part of}} | ||
[[Category: Plays]] | [[Category: Plays]] | ||
Revision as of 19:23, August 1, 2007
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 rash, and loves war more than peace. In the end he dies a fatal death 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 humerous, 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.
Synopsis
The play opens after the funeral of the late-murdered King Richard II. King Henry IV expresses his desire to go to Jerusalem in a crusade. He will not, however, because of the recent threatening Scottish wars. He also muses that one of his nobles, Northumberland, has a son called Hotspur, who has recently won a great victory. He compares Hotspur with his own son, Prince Hal, and grieves over his son's foolishness. We see Prince Hal, in the next scene, spending time at taverns with a fat old knight called Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff is ultimately bad company for the prince, drinking too much as well as robbing. However, when alone, Prince Hal says he will one day put off his company and look more lordly because of it. Then we see King Henry demmand Hotspur's prisoners or his sure displeasure. Hotspur is unhappy at the King's rejection of Edmund Mortimer (who was the heir to Richard II.) He then plans with his uncle and father to start a rebellion to put Edmund Mortimer on the throne.
While Prince Hal spends his time in fun and games at taverns with Falstaff, Hotspur brings a rebellion to actuality. He allies with Owen Glendower of Wales and Douglas of Scotland. However, he acts to fast and the rebellion is discovered. The King calls for forces to march and quench the rebellion. Prince Hal gets his foolish companions to enter into the army. They march to Shrewsbury, where Hotspur tries to gather forces. Only He, his uncle and the Earl of Douglas arrive in time for battle. The King tries to send words of peace, but treachery is committed and the message is not delivered. The battle begins. Lords are killed on both sides. Prince Henry does brave feats, even saving his father's life. The end comes when he fights Hotspur in a sword-fight and kills him. During the fight Falstaff fakes dead to save his life and then takes credit for killing Hotspur. The play ends with the defeat of the rebellion.