Henry IV Part 2

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 (Harry Percy) was victorious, King Henry is almost dead, Prince Hal is slain, Prince John has fled, and Falstaff has been taken prisoner. Lord Northumberland (Hotspur’s father) is overjoyed at this news, and feels a bit of his guilt lifted--he was supposed to join his son in this rebellion, but did not. Travers comes in; his report is the exact opposite of Lord Bardolph’s news. They are in disbelief at the conflicting stories until Morton follows, and confirms the grim news of Hotspur’s death. Enraged,