In the Henry IV plays, Shakespeare depicts the apparent irresponsibilty of the prince and the profound concern of the king, both happily resolved by Hal's chivalry and heroism at Shrewsbury. Again in the words of Holinshed, "The king after expelled him out of his privie councell, banisht him the court, and made the duke of Clarence (his younger brother) president of the counsell in his steed." Reconciliation followed, but much later than in Shakespeare's play. his behavior was not offensive or at least tending to the damage of anie bodie." That he did become alienated from his royal father is historical fact. Holinshed, Shakespeare's chief source, says: "Indeed he was youthful lie given, growen to audaucitie. History records also that he distinguished himself in the Welsh wars and gained valuable experience in government. Henry, Prince of Wales Prince Hal, as he is usually called in this play, the high-spirited eldest son of Henry IV, had indeed been a carefree, boisterous youth, and the "wild prince" stories were circulated beginning in his own lifetime. Bitter experience was to make him somewhat suspicious and calculating. Nevertheless, his position was insecure because of the manner in which he became king. History reports him as a brave, active, and self-restrained man who had been welcomed to the throne by all classes, pledging "to abandon the evil ways of Richard II" and to govern "by common counsel and consent." He is further described as being a good soldier, a careful administrator, and a wise statesman. In Shakespeare's Richard II and on occasion in Henry IV, Part 1, he is referred to as Bolingbroke, from the place of his birth. As these events were dramatized in Shakespeare's Richard II, he led a revolt against the Crown, forced Richard to abdicate, and became the first of the Lancastrian rulers of England subsequently he had Richard put to death. For more information, visit Henry IV The eldest son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and grandson of Edward III, Henry had returned from banishment on July 4, 1399, to claim the Crown denied to him by Richard II.
#FOLGER HENRY IV PART 1 FULL#
In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
#FOLGER HENRY IV PART 1 SERIES#
The authoritative edition of Henry IV, Part 1 from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: Hotspur, in declaring war on Henry, sees himself as fighting for Mortimer, his wife’s brother. King Henry pronounces Mortimer a traitor whom he will not ransom. Mortimer, who fought against the Welsh magician Owen Glendower, was defeated and captured and has married Glendower’s daughter. Hotspur’s stand against Henry focuses on Hotspur’s brother-in-law, Mortimer. Meanwhile, Hal has entered into a quasi-father-son relationship with a disreputable but amusing knight, Sir John Falstaff.Īnother strand of action centers on still more family relationships. The father-son pair of Hotspur (Lord Henry Percy) and his father, the Earl of Northumberland, is in seeming contrast the king envies Northumberland “his Harry,” wishing he could claim the gallant Hotspur as his own. King Henry IV and Prince Hal form one major father-son pair, with Henry in despair because Hal lives a dissolute life. Family relationships are at the center of Henry IV, Part 1.