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Loading... 2 Plays: Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part IIby William Shakespeare
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Part II only The two parts of Henry IV have all of Shakespeare's usual features for his history plays: intrigue and ringing dialogue, offset by the difficulty in knowing just who is who and on which side they fight. The Bard has done the history play better – see Henry V or Richard III (or Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra) – but Henry IV's selling point is the presence of Falstaff: young Prince Hal's roguish drinking buddy and all-round scoundrel. The first part of Henry IV is the better part for this very reason (Hal sobers up in Part 2), as Shakespeare lovingly forges the glint in Falstaff's eye. It is an inheritance of "wrenching the true cause the false way" (pg. 153) that would reach heights in the following centuries with the likes of Huck Finn, Jack Sparrow and Harry Flashman. The newly-anointed Hal of Part 2 might disavow the rogue, but the readers never will. So many insults -- so much confusion -- intertwined scenes primarily of battle sights and brothels -- Falstaff: Zounds, will they not rob us. -- the problems of becoming King by force. no reviews | add a review
Belongs to SeriesHenry IV (1-2) Belongs to Publisher SeriesAwardsNotable Lists
HarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics. 'The better part of valour is discretion.' King Henry IV's son, Prince Harry is quick-witted yet idle and irresponsible and lives a roguish existence keeping dubious company. However, when the kingdom is threatened, Prince Harry shows his true worth and heroism and begins a journey of transformation from layabout to noble leader. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)822.33Literature English & Old English literatures English drama Elizabethan 1558-1625 Shakespeare, William 1564–1616LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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