Henry IV, Part 1

Henry IV, Part 1 is a history play by William Shakespeare that chronicles a span of English history begining with the Battle of Humbleton Hill in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the Percys at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403.

Fast Facts

1. Writer: William Shakespeare
2. Written: 1597
3. Setting: England
4. Primary source: Chronicles by Raphael Holinshed
5. Entered into Stationers' Register: February 25, 1598
6. First Performance: March 6, 1600 at Court before the Flemish Ambassador

Synopsis

Henry IV has two main plots that intersect in a dramatic battle at the end of the play. The first plot concerns the strained relationship between King Henry IV and his son, Prince Harry. The second concerns a rebellion that is being plotted against King Henry by the Percys, a discontented family of noblemen in the North who are angry because of King Henry’s refusal to acknowledge his debt to them.

Characters

1. King Henry the Fourth of England: Based on the historical King Henry IV of England. The first cousin of Richard II whom he supplanted in 1399.
2. Prince Henry: Based on the youthful Henry V of England, the Prince of Wales.
3. Lord John of Lancaster: Actually the third son of Henry IV, he was later made Duke of Bedford.
4. Earl of Westmorland
5. Sir Walter Blunt
6. Earl of Worcester
7. Henry Percy, known as Hotspur, Northumberland's son
8. Edmund Mortimer, called Earl of March
9. Lady Mortimer
10. Owen Glendower, leader of the Welsh, and Lady Mortimer's father
11. Earl of Douglas
12. Sir John Falstaff: a fictional character and good friend of Prince Henry

Famous Quotes

• "He will give the devil his due." 1.2

• "While you live, tell truth and shame the devil!" 3.1

• "The better part of valour is discretion." 5.4

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