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Overview

Synopsis

After King Henry IV’s victory at the Battle of Shrewsbury, it would seem that his civil troubles are over. However, the rebels Northumberland, Mowbray, Hastings, and the Archbishop of York are not ready to let go of their grievances. At the same time, Henry IV is conflicted regarding his son, Prince Hal. The heir to the throne of England seems to be going back to his rowdy and errant ways with Sir John Falstaff and his pals of Eastcheap. But Prince Hal is truly reflective of his place in the monarchy, and the responsibilities coming upon him as his father’s health rapidly declines. Henry IV, Part Two is not only a meditation on the end of one king, but the celebration of the rise of the next Henry to wear the crown.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1599
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
London, England, 1413, 1400s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult, Child, Early Teen, Elderly, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Henry IV

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Prince Hal (later King Henry V)

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Sir John Falstaff

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Archbishop of York

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Prince John, Duke of Lancaster

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Earl of Warwick

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lord Bardolph

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lord Mowbray

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Falstaff’s Page

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Bardolph

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Ancient Pistol

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Ned Poins

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mistress Quickly

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Doll Tearsheet

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Justice Silence

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Lord Chief Justice

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Justice Robert Shallow

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Fang and Snare

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Falstaff’s Recruits (5)

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Prince Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Prince Thomas, Duke of Clarence

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Earl of Surrey

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Lady Northumberland

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Lady Percy

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Colevile

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Rumour

Featured

Either Gender

Non-singer

Travers and Morton

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Francis and William

Featured

Male

Davy

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Beadles (2)

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Messengers, Grooms, Attendants, Lords

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress