The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth

William Shakespeare
100 pages (Summer 2007); 910KB download
WOWIO Books; ISBN: WOWIO-00242

DESCRIPTION

The Second Part of King Henry the Fourth continues the storyline of Part 1 with no break in time or action. Prince Hal continues to be a concern to his ailing father, the King; and Falstaff looks forward to the day of Hal's accession to the throne. Shakespeare presents Prince Hal's preparation for the burden of the crown by following dual storylines: he alternates between the world of the court, a world in which Hal seems unsuited to be king; and the world of the tavern, a world in which Falstaff reigns. The two old friends meet in the final scene, and Hal must choose between his old life and a life in which he is responsible to himself and England. It is in this final scene that Hal truly becomes Henry V.

This edition is based on the 1914 Oxford edition, which ranks among the most authoritative of the 20th century.