Henry IV, Part 2Henry IV, Part 2 is the only Shakespeare play that is a “sequel,” in the modern sense, to an earlier play of his. Like most sequels, it repeats many elements from the previous work, Henry IV, Part 1. This play again puts on stage Henry IV’s son, Prince Hal, who continues to conceal his potential greatness by consorting with tavern dwellers, including the witty Sir John Falstaff. As in Part 1, Prince Hal and Falstaff seek to best each other in conversation, while Falstaff tries to ingratiate himself with Hal and Hal disdains him. Part 2 adds some fresh characters, the rural justices Shallow and Silence and Shallow’s household. Political rebellion, while important to the plot, does not loom as large as in Part 1. There are no glorious champions; combat is replaced by deception, cunning, and treachery. The authoritative edition of Henry IV, Part 2 from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by A. R. Braunmuller The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu. |
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actors ARCHBISHOP audience Bardolfe blood Bullcalf called Colevile cousin crown Davy dead death DOLL doth Earl Eastcheap edition editors English exit faith father Folger Shakespeare Library Folio give God’s Grace Hal’s Harry HASTINGS hath Heauen F heaven Henry IV plays HOSTESS Hotspur’s HUMPHREY OF GLOUCESTER Iohn JOHN OF LANCASTER King Henry King’s lines London longer note LORD BARDOLPH Lord Chief Justice manuscript Master Shallow means merry Mouldy MOWBRAY night noble Northumberland Oldcastle omit Q peace perhaps phrase Pistol playhouses POINS pray pricked Prince Hal Prince Harry printed proverbial Q and F Q corr Q uncorr quarto Richard Richard II royal Scene SD Enter Shakespeare’s language Shakespeare’s plays Shrewsbury sick SILENCE Sir John Falstaff Sir John Oldcastle speak speech stage direction swagger theater thee There’s THOMAS OF CLARENCE troth WARWICK Westmoreland William Shakespeare wordplay words