Book Review: The History of Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
Author: William Shakespeare
Title: The History of Henry IV, Part 1
Publication Info: New York : Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2020. [Originated circa 1597]
Summary/Review:
Of the Shakespearean English histories I’ve read so far, this one is the least stand alone. It definitely feels like it’s setting up Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V. King Henry IV has a couple of problems: first, he falls out with Henry Percy – a.k.a. Hotspur – who allies with Welsh and Scottish rebels against the king. Meanwhile, his son Prince Hal is leading a licentious life with his rowdy friend Sir John Falstaff. I’ve known from reading about Shakespeare that Falstaff was an incredibly popular character, cowardly yet quick-witted, but I found him kind of irritating. Hopefully, I’ll find him more entertaining in upcoming plays. The various storylines come together with Prince Hal regaining the king’s affections by fighting the rebels at the Battle of Shrewsbury.
Rating: ***
I’m reading every Shakespeare play, one per month, in chronological order. Here’s my progress thus far:
The Two Gentlemen of VeronaThe Taming of the ShrewHenry VI, Part 1Henry VI, Part 2Henry VI, Part 3Titus AndronicusRichard IIIThe Comedy of ErrorsLove’s Labours’ LostRichard IIRomeo and JulietA Midsummer’s Night’s DreamThe Life and Death of King JohnThe Merchant of Venice
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