Henry IV, Part 2

Description

King Henry IV, part 2 by William Shakespeare

The second of Shakespeare’s three King Henry plays, King Henry IV, part 2 follows Prince Hal’s exciting ascent to the throne of England. In King Henry IV, part 1, he helped his father vanquish a band of rebels who aimed to defeat the King and take over the throne. Hal proved to be an asset to his father when he turned away from his drinking ways and fought valiantly for England. Shortly after the rebellion, however, Hal slinks back into old habits, once again mingling with lowlifes.

The play also follows Sir John Falstaff, the scoundrel with whom Prince Hal was with once affiliated. Falstaff, after righting in the rebellion, has returned to his typical bawdy ways. However, feeling the onset of old age, Falstaff vows to find love among in the brothels. After a relationship with a prostitute, Falstaff ends up banding together with a group of petty crooks who have joined the loyalist army. Once again, he is set to fight for England.

Another rebellion is brewing, and King Henry believes his son has once again abandoned his rightful place by his side. Will Prince Hal heroically step up and aid his father once again? Or will he revel in his drunkenness? A later meeting with Falstaff seals Prince Hal’s destiny.

Henry IV, part 2 has been made into a number of film and movie adaptations, including a UK miniseries in 1960 and a BBC miniseries in 1979. Orson Welles played the role of Falstaff in the USA program Chimes at Midnight, which contains a variety of great scenes from various Shakespeare plays.

“I’ll tickle your catastrophe.”

[amz_corss_sell asin=”1775420728″]