Description
The play begins with the king’s crushing defeat of the rebel forces, picking up where Henry IV, Part II left off. The king’s army has successfully won the battle, but the rebels are not fully defeated. Prince Hal, despite his glorious victory over the rebel leader Hotspur, still spends time with his old tavern friends, including the aging, witty Falstaff. The king, however, has fallen ill and continues to worry about his son’s wayward behavior. As the rebels prepare for another battle, the king grows increasingly sick and soon dies. Hal rises to the occasion, vowing to be a responsible leader and leave his youthful pranks behind him. On the front, the king’s forces negotiate with the rebel leaders, offering to meet all of their demands. As soon as the rebels agree, however, they are arrested for treason. The execution of the rebels coincides with Hal’s coronation as Henry V, with both events inaugurating a new order. Indeed, in a heartbreaking and cruel scene, Hal betrays Falstaff and his old tavern friends. With Hal finally assuming the role that was destined to be his, his coming-of-age story, from irresponsible prince to mature king, comes full circle.
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Opening Lines (Experimental)
RUMOUR, the Presenter.
KING HENRY the Fourth.
HENRY, PRINCE OF WALES, afterwards King Henry V.
THOMAS, DUKE OF CLARENCE.
PRINCE JOHN OF LANCASTER.
PRINCE HUMPHREY OF GLOUCESTER.
EARL OF WARWICK.
EARL OF WESTMORELAND.
EARL OF SURREY.
GOWER.
HARCOURT.
BLUNT.
Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
A ...
Ratings for 'King Henry IV, Part 2' by Shakespeare, William
King Henry IV, Part 2
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King Henry IV, Part 2
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