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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
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- 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
Less popular than its predecessor, Henry IV, Part Two was likely written between 1596 and 1599 (after the performances of Henry IV, Part One). It was not entered into the Stationer’s Company Register until 1600. That same year, it was published in quarto, but not printed again until the First Folio of 1623.
Like Shakespeare’s other history plays, Henry IV, Part Two is based on Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles, which detail the history of the kings of England. It is the third play in the
to read the context for Henry IV Part 2 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Induction
Rumour enters, “painted full of tongues.” He boasts that he is responsible for the wild stories and misinformation that plague the battlefield of Shrewsbury. King Henry IV’s forces were victorious against the rebels, but Rumour is spreading the news that Hotspur (the rebel leader) won and killed Prince Hal: “from Rumour’s tongues / They bring smooth comforts false, worse than / true wrongs.”
Act One
At Warkworth Castle, Lord Bardolph brings the news from Shrewsbury: Hotspur
to read the plot for Henry IV Part 2 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
Wish mischief or bad luck upon someone or something
A type of printing in which four pages of text are printed on one sheet (two per side), and then folded to make four total pages. This was a popular method for printing plays in the Elizabethan period.
Away, away from here
A genre of play that is based on the narrative of true historical events and people, often considered a subgenre of tragedy.
Temperament, mood
A scoundrel; a young man or boy; a servant
Morning
To completely destroy
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress