Henry IV, Part 2 (Pelican Shakespeare Series)

This book is easier to follow than it's predecessor. England is in a civil war, King Henry IV is getting older due to all the stress from the war and worrying about his son, who is also getting older. I really enjoyed the growth of Hal in this book, he really has grown and matured from the first book, as he becomes King Henry V. There were times reading this that I couldn't help but laugh at certain things, it is definitely more humorous than the first book.

This is an excellent play. I would recommend that you first read part one because you will thereby have the whole framework to refer back to. In fact, it's interesting to note the differences between the two (hence my title here). Although you must recognize the essential chronological continuation from part one to part two, the plays possess different dramatic essences. In part one, we want to know if Hotspur is going to defeat the usurper Bolingbroke. Prince Hal emerges victorious in respect to that plot. There is in part one much doubt as to Prince Hal's integrity, if you will. Why is he pal-ing around with the licentious Falstaff? For me, that Prince Hal kills Hotspur on the battlefield goes a long way in quelling my doubts about his intentions and behavior in the midst of the monarchy. In contrast, in part two, we descry a morally correct distancing of himself from the sack-loving chap. Prince Hal even disquises himself in one scene with Poins to see what they can stir up. As regards my take on the play, I'm fascinated by the way that Falstaff somehow immediately knows that one of the men is Harry, his disguise notwithstanding. So, I say Shakespeare beautifully amplifies Falstaff in part two (and, by'r Lady, does he have plans for Falstaff at the end). We ultimately end up with a portrait of an untrustworthy man. I don't see it all as "expectation mocked," as Normand Holland argues in the Signet edition introduction. Falstaff is who he is, a sinful man, vis-a-vis Prince Harry. Shakespeare is telling us that Falstaff just wants to lead his Joe Sixpack life, albeit somewhat dishonestly. Additionally, there is a psychomachia occurring with these two main characters, an argumment I do agree with. So, onward to part two, I interpret a felicitous counterpoise, which makes the play the dramatic whole that it is: as Falstaff enlarges in portrait before us with Justice Shallow, Bardolph, Doll, and Mistress Quickly, Prince Hal separates himself quite clearly from his dissolute company and worries more about establishing himself as a fine soldier and good statesman, in King Henry IV's eyes. The Archbishop Scroop and Mowbray are preparing themeslves to attack the King in this one, but the King is able to talk them out of it and then executes them. And that is how it ends. King Henry IV dies and Prince Hal inherits the crown. Now we can look forward to Henry V. Also, you've got to think about Holinshed as a source before deciding on issues of plot. The final expression of this estrangement I've described comes in the form of Falstaff's arrest. The real-life Jockey Oldcastle was also executed. This play has a lot to think about depending on which aspect of the play you focus on.