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Henry IV, Part 1 | Study Guide

William Shakespeare

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Course Hero. "Henry IV, Part 1 Study Guide." Course Hero. 28 July 2016. Web. 29 Sep. 2023. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Henry-IV-Part-1/>.

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Course Hero. (2016, July 28). Henry IV, Part 1 Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved September 29, 2023, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Henry-IV-Part-1/

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Course Hero. "Henry IV, Part 1 Study Guide." July 28, 2016. Accessed September 29, 2023. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Henry-IV-Part-1/.

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Course Hero, "Henry IV, Part 1 Study Guide," July 28, 2016, accessed September 29, 2023, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Henry-IV-Part-1/.

Henry IV, Part 1 | Infographic

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

Artboard 1RevelryReversalRebukeRedemptionCrownThemesMaskSwordPrince HalThe dissolute princeFalstaffHal's drunk, wayward mentorHarry Per-cy/HotspurFather / SonFriendshipMurderwill redeem all this on Percy’s head, / And, in the closing of some glorious day / Be bold to tell you that I am your son.Main CharactersSymbolsAt the end of the 15th century, England is torn by rebellion. Adding to the king's problems, Prince Hal is off drinking with the prankish Falstaff. Heeding his father's call home, Prince Hal ultimately regains the king's respect through cunning and heroic acts—quelling a revolt, coming of age, and proving worthy of his future title.What Does it Mean to Be a Prince?OVERVIEWHonorAppearance vs. RealityKing Henry IVMature and serious rulerEarl of Northumber-landEngland's national poet, Shakespeare is considered the greatest dramatist who ever lived. While many of his histories tell of English monarchs, Henry IV, Part I remains one of his most esteemed plays, largely because it features the first appearance of Falstaff, who is widely considered Shakespeare's greatest comedic character.WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREHenry IV, Part Iby the NumbersMention of radishes, the only time Shakespeare discusses the vegetable1Place in Shakespeare's series of four plays about the power struggles leading to Henry V's reign2Shakespeare plays in which Falstaff appears: Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; and The Merry Wives of Windsor3Characters who get into sword fights6Henry IV, part 2Henry VRichard IIHenry IV, part 1The mask, sword, and crown are key symbols, as characters take on disguises, engage in hand-to-hand combat, and struggle with the responsibilities of leadership.Characters often take on false identities, tell stories, and live parallel realities.Much of the play's dialogue and action revolves around what it means to act honorably.AuthorSources: Biography.com, Folger Shakespeare Library,Royal Shakespeare CompanyCopyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.Father-Son RelationsHonor differs among the king and Prince Hal, Falstaff and Hal, and Hotspur and the Earl.Prince Hal shirks his duties for a life of drinking and folly with his friend Falstaff.King Henry chastises his son, saying the young rebel Hotspur is more suited for the Prince Hal saves his father and kills Hotspur, regaining his honoras prince and son.Ashamed, Prince Hal vows to change and is put in command of forces set to fight the rebels.1324William Shakespearec. 1596-97EnglishPlayAuthorYears WrittenOriginal LanguageHenry IV, Part IHistoricalPrince Hal, Act 3, Scene 2
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