Henry IV Part 1 | William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12

Henry IV Part 1 Summary | Play by William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12
Neb English Support Class 12

Henry IV Part 1 | William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12


Henry IV Part 1


Table of Contents



SHORT STORYLINE

Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare

King Henry IV battles a rising rebellion while his son drinks and robs the people; his son redeems himself at last.


SHORT SUMMARY

Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare 

While his son Prince Hal spends time at the inn, King Henry IV argues with his former ally Hotspur. Enraged, Hotspur gathers a rebellion, and both Henry and Hal go into battle to stop him. Henry's army becomes victorious in the battle, while Hal redeems himself from his wild youth and kills Hotspur at last.


DETAILED SUMMARY

Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare 

Act I

Following the events of Shakespeare's play, Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke has become successful in gaining the throne of England as King Henry IV. During the time of his ascension, he was partially implicated in the murder case of his cousin Richard II in prison. To atone for Richard's death, King Henry IV resolved to conduct a crusade to Jerusalem. But his departure is prevented by news of treason and civil unrest.  His cousin, Edmund Mortimer, is captured by the Welsh rebel Owen Glyndwr.  In the north, there is also fighting between the Earl of Douglas and Harry Hotspur, the warlike son of one of King Henry's former allies. King Henry regrets his own eldest son, Henry (known as Hal), who spends most of his time with vagabonds and ne'er-do-wells in London inns. The king demands Hotspur's allegiance and assistance against the Welsh. But Hotspur feels that the King hasn't been grateful enough to Hotspur's family for helping him in the past.


Act II

Meanwhile, at the Boar's Head Tavern, Prince Hal jokes with his friend, the elderly and penniless Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff wants to get money (by any means possible) to pay for his drinking habits. He hatches a plan to rob a group of travellers. Together with his friends Bardolph and Nym, Falstaff commits the robbery. At the same time, Hal and his fellow Poins, in disguise, attack Falstaff and capture the gold for themselves. Back at the tavern, they reveal to Falstaff that they wanted to trick him and were the ones who robbed him. Hal is called back to the court during a civil war. The role of Hal and Falstaff is the impending conversation between the stern King Henry and the wayward Hal. Hal's scathing comments about his troubled friends irritate Falstaff. Hal rescues Falstaff from the law and returns the stolen money to its owners.


Act III

The civil war becomes more serious as Hotspur joins his father in forging alliances with other enemies of the king. They are all jealous of King Henry's growing power. Hotspur travels to Shrewsbury to join his father's army.

Hal returns to his father to make peace with him, and the King gives him an order in the army to meet Hotspur. Along the way, Hal encounters some of Falstaff's ragged men. Falstaff recruits these soldiers by taking bribes instead of recruiting more capable men.


Act IV

The king offers to pardon and releases Hotspur if he withdraws his opposition to the throne. The northern army has been unable to reach Hotspur and Worcester, one of Hotspur's fellow rebels. Hotspur is advised by his ally, the Archbishop of York, not to brawl. Worcester, Hotspur's ally, has information about the king's offer of freedom to Hotspur, and the Battle of Shrewsbury begins.


Act V

Falstaff fears his death in battle and thinks only of wisdom in pursuing honour in return for injury or death. Hal fights valiantly in battle, saving his father from harm in battle with another rebel, Douglas. He also kills Hotspur. Falstaff, who has feigned death to avoid injury, claims that he was Hotspur's victor. The King's forces win the day, and Worcester is sentenced to death. Hal frees Douglas, and Henry IV divides his forces to continue battling against the rebellion.



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HENRY IV PART 2 BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SUMMARY








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