Henry IV, Part 1

Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare, widely considered the greatest of the histories. It is set in a period beginning sometime in 1402 and ending in July, 1403. The play follows on from Richard II and is succeeded by Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V.

Themes and interpretations

At its first publication in 1597 or 1598 the play was titled The History of Henrie the Fourth and its title page advertised only the presence of Harry Hotspur and the comic Sir John Falstaff; Prince Hal was not mentioned. Indeed, throughout most of the play's performance history, Hal was seen as a relatively uninteresting figure, and the stars of the stage typically preferred to play Hotspur. It was only in the twentieth century that readers and performers began to see the central interest as the coming-of-age of Hal, who is now seen as the starring role.

Related Topics:
1597 - 1598 - Harry Hotspur - Sir John Falstaff - Twentieth century

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In the "coming-of-age" interpretation, Hal's acquaintance with Falstaff and the tavern lowlife humanizes him, as well as rounding out the view of Elizabethan life. At the outset, Prince Hal seems to pale in comparison with the fiery Henry "Hotspur" Percy, the young noble lord of the North (whom Shakespeare portrays about 23 years younger than he was in history in order to provide a foil for Hal). For many readers, Prince Hal grows up, evolving into King Henry V, perhaps the most heroic of all of Shakespeare's characters, in what is a tale of the prodigal son writ large against the backdrop of medieval England.

Related Topics:
Henry "Hotspur" Percy - Lord - Foil - King Henry V - Heroic - Prodigal son

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Other readers have, however, looked at Hal more critically; the play can be read as nostalgic for the old-fashioned honour and chivalry of Hotspur, and Hal can appear as a budding Machiavel. In this reading, there is no "ideal king": the gradual rejection of Falstaff is a rejection of Hal's humanity in favour of cold realpolitik.

Related Topics:
Chivalry - Machiavel - Realpolitik

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