Shakespeare ReadALong
On to Henry IV part 1. My Shakespeare ReadAlong discussion on ACT 1 is tomorrow! So I’m making sure I am ready over an enjoyable quiet breakfast.
While his son Price Hal spends time in the taverns, King Henry IV argues with his former ally Hotspur. Angry, Hotspur gathers a rebellion, and Henry and Hal go to battle to stop him. Henry’s army wins the battle, while Hal redeems himself from his wild youth and kills Hotspur.
Henry Bolingbroke has succeeded to the throne of England as King Henry IV. During his ascension, he was partially implicated in the murder of his cousin, Richard II, in prison. To atone for Richard’s death, Henry IV resolves to lead a crusade to Jerusalem. But his departure is prevented by news of disloyalty and civil unrest. His cousin, Edmund Mortimer, has been captured by Owen Glyndwr, a Welsh rebel. There is also fighting in the north between the Earl of Douglas and Harry Hotspur, the warlike son of one of Henry’s former allies. King Henry regrets that his own eldest son, Henry (known as Hal) spends most of his time in the taverns of London with vagabonds and ne’er-do-wells. The King demands Hotspur’s allegiance and help against the Welsh. But Hotspur feels that the King has not been sufficiently grateful to Hotspur’s family for helping him in the past.
Henry IV, Part 1
A history play by Shakespeare believed to have been written no later than 1597. It is the second play in Shakespeare’s tetrology dealing with the successive reigns of Richard II, Henry IV. Henry IV, Part 1 depicts a span of history that begins with Hotspur’s battle at Homildon in Northumberland against Douglad late in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403.
The historical Shakespeare is my favorite to read. I’m excited to be spending time with this particular Shakespeare for the next two months.
O, while you live, tell truth, and shame the Devil!”
Reading on!
