Shakespeare's Henry IV part 2

Henry IV 1 ends with the king’s victory at the Battle of Shrewsbury. His errant son Hal had returned to fight at his side and the rebel Hotspur – who, at the beginning of the play, Henry had wished was his son rather than Hal – is dead. But the last sentence of the play shows that we are a long way off ‘happy ever after’:

“Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway
Meeting the check of such another day;
And, since this business so fair is done,
Let us not leave till all our own be won.”

It would have been clear to the Globe audience that a second play was in the offing and, indeed, both plays were written around 1597. But it would be a mistake to think that Shakespeare himself had any notion that he was writing what came to be known as the ‘Henriad’ – that is the four plays Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2 and Henry V. There is no evidence that the plays were ever produced in sequence until late in the 19^th century.

It would also be a mistake to think that knowledge of Richard II and Henry IV part 1 are essential for an understanding of Henry IV part 2.  As P. H. Davidson begins his introduction to the Penguin Shakespeare edition of the play: ‘the most important point to grasp in an understanding of Henry IV 2 is that it is a play in its own right, a play of its own kind, and especially that it is very different from Henry IV 1.’

However, Shakespeare provides a splendid recap in the shape of Rumour, who opens the play with a chorus speech that does a neater job on ‘Previously in Henry IV . . . ’ than most modern TV series achieve.

STUDY DETAILS:

• Eight-meeting study led by Jane Wymark
• Mondays, 6.00-8.00 pm (UK), 15 January – 4 March 2024
• £240 for 8 meetings, to include opening notes and resources
• We will use the Arden Shakespeare edition edited by James C Bulman: ISBN  978 1-9042-71376, but other editions are welcome, particularly the Folger and RSC editions (it’s useful to have a range of footnotes).