Henry IV, Part 2 by William Shakespeare
"Second Part of King Henry IV" by William Shakespeare is a historical play likely written during the late 16th century. The work explores themes of power, honor, and the complexities of leadership through the lens of the English nobility. Central characters include Prince Henry (Hal), who is transitioning from a reckless youth to a responsible leader, and the larger-than-life figure, Falstaff, who embodies both comedic relief and the darker aspects of friendship
and loyalty. The opening of the play introduces the character of Rumor, who sets the stage by proclaiming the current state of unrest following King Henry IV's victory at the Battle of Shrewsbury. As Rumor spreads false tales of glory and gloom, various lords, including Northumberland and Bardolph, gather to discuss the implications of this conflict and the reputation of the young prince. There is an air of anticipation and foreboding as they prepare for the brewing tension between the king and the rebellious nobles. The interplay between humor and seriousness in the early scenes foreshadows the larger conflict that will develop throughout the play, drawing the audience into the political machinations and personal struggles of these historical figures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
|---|---|
| Title | Henry IV, Part 2 |
| Alternate Title | King Henry IV, Part 2 |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV,_Part_2 |
| Note | The First Folio, 1623 |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 88.6 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413 -- Drama |
| Subject | Historical drama |
| Subject | Great Britain -- History -- Henry IV, 1399-1413 -- Drama |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 1117 |
| Release Date | Nov 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 224 downloads in the last 30 days. |
| Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free! | |