This is the second in a
consecutive series of four history plays with an underlying
theme of an invalid royal
line clearing itself of the guilt
of it crimes. The sequence starts with Richard II and runs
through Henry IV Parts I and II to Henry V: from the
abdication of Richard in favour of Henry Bolingbroke to the
hero king of Henry V.
Henry IV, having seized the throne from Richard II is
harrowed with guilt for taking the crown from the anointed
king, who holds the divine right of kings, and allowing
Richard to be murdered in his name. That Richard II was not
a good king, and that Henry is a far superior organiser and
diplomat does not assuage this retribution.
Henry’s rule is mistrusted and he is faced with uprisings
throughout his kingdom. Henry Percy (Hotspur) refuses to
surrender prisoners to the Henry after defeating the Scots
and this marks the start of the major conflict in this
play, as Hotspur is kin to Mortimer who legally has a
better claim to the crown. However this is a play with a
theme based in “honour”, and Henry, privately, admires
Hotspur’s honour as well as his daring and courage.
In contrast, Henry’s heir, Prince Hal frequents alehouses
and is a crony of Sir John Falstaff, a jovial, cowardly
rogue. Hal acts out and plays tricks. In one trick he and
some others reprobates from the Boar’s Head Tavern,
disguised, set upon Falstaff after setting up a robbery at
Gadshill, just to hear Falstaff boasts of how many he
fought off. Later, in a pivotal exchange, Hal acts out the
eventual denial of Falstaff, foreshadowing this event in
Henry IV Part II. What Hal is demonstrating is his ability
to understand and communicate with people from all walks in
life, an ability that enables him also to succeed on the
battlefield.
Hal is reconciled with his
father and promises to outdo
the valiant Hotspur. Falstaff is sent off to get an army
from the men on England, and his is the most ragamuffin
group that goes to meet Hal at Shrewsbury.
Hotspur sets out his family’s string of grievances against
the King. Henry offers to pardon the rebels if they
disband, an offer which is kept from Hotspur by his
supporter, Worcester, who does not believe that the King
will keep his word. The Battle of Shrewsbury ensues, Hal
kills Hotspur and saves his father, whilst Falstaff with
his usual blustering boasts that he himself has killed
Hotspur.
Though the day is won, this is not the end of the
rebellions, and they continue into the next in the
sequence, the much darker and more subversive play of Henry
IV Part II.
(Dating of play 1598)