Study Guide for 1 Henry IV
Text of 1 Henry IV (from the University
of Virginia's Electronic Text Center): web
version | e-book
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A family tree for
Shakespeare's history plays
Ian
Johnston's note on Shakespeare's history plays
Wikipedia
entry for the Wars of the Roses
Discussion Questions
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What kind of character is Hal? What kind of prince is he? Why
do you think Hal spends so much time in the taverns? In order to
avoid his royal duties, or in order to learn more about the people he will
one day lead?
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What do you make of the Percy uprising? Does Henry deserve the uprising
as punishment for what he did to Richard II? What is the role of
rebellion in the play, and in political history in general?
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How would you characterize the language of the play--Falstaff's language
in particular?
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What is the dramatic function of the Gadshill robbery in 2.2?
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Falstaff pretends to be Hal's father in 2.4, then the roles are reversed.
What is the significance of this scene? Is there a sense in which
the activity of being king is itself a role-playing activity?
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What is the significance of Hal's (mock?) rejection of Falstaff?
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Examine Hal's exchange with his father in 3.2 carefully. Have you
ever been in a situation like this?
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Read Falstaff's "catechism" in 5.1 carefully. What is the status
of honor in this play? Is Hal honorable? Hotspur? Falstaff?