Henry IV, Part 2 story
Henry IV, Part 2 is a history play by William Shakespeare believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. It is the third part of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II and Henry IV, Part 1 and succeeded by Henry V. The play is often seen as an extension of aspects of Henry IV, Part 1, rather than a straightforward continuation of the historical narrative, placing more emphasis on the highly popular character of Falstaff and introducing other comic figures as part of his entourage, including Ancient Pistol, Doll Tearsheet, and Justice Robert Shallow. Several scenes specifically parallel episodes in Part 1.
17 total · 8 major · 9 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| betrayal | major | prince Hal on becoming king, turned his back on former friends |
| civil war | major | backdrop to the story was two short-lived rebellions against Henry IV |
| coping with aging | major | time and again, Falstaff laments his age and fading health; he discussed aging with Justice Shallow; King Henry IV died of illness and age |
| coping with being ill and indisposed | major | Henry IV was enduring a prolonged illness |
| father and son | major | the story, in its end, concerns King Henri IV and his errant son, prince Hal |
| fatherly disappointment in a son | major | central to the story was Hanery IV's annoyance at his son's base diversions |
| friendship | major | the story follows Falstaff and his colorful friendship to the prince; the prince-become-king in the end turns his back on his former associates |
| history | major | the succession of Henry V to Henry IV |
| brother and brother | minor | Henry IV spoke to Clarence about loving his brother Hal |
| coming of age | minor | the story ended on a note of prince Hal renouncing his youth's rebellious ways in order to become a just and responsible King Henry V |