The Shakespeare Book

148

T

he presenter Rumour

begins the play by

revealing the lie that’s on

its way to old Northumberland: that

Hotspur has defeated King Henry’s

forces at the Battle of Shrewsbury.

This happy news reaches him

moments before it is contradicted

by the truth: that Hotspur was

killed, the rebels routed, and the

king’s men are marching north

toward him. Despite his grief,

Northumberland agrees to join

the Archbishop of York’s forces

in a renewed fight. By the time

the forces gather, however,

HENRY IV PART 2

Northumberland has fled to

Scotland and left his fellow rebels

vulnerable. They agree to a parley,

and present their grievances to

Prince John who promises redress

on behalf of his father. Although

Mowbray remains unsure, the other

lords dismiss their troops and

prepare for peace. No sooner have

their men dispersed than John

arrests the rebels for high treason

and condemns them all to death.

Deception also flourishes

elsewhere. Falstaff should be

with Prince John in the north

but consumption, physical and

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

Rumour Presenter of the play.

Henry IV King of England.

Prince Harry Eldest son of

the king, known as Hal and

later Henry V.

Earls of Warwick, Surrey,

and Westmoreland;

Harcourt, Gower, Sir John

Blunt Supporters of the king.

Prince John of Lancaster;

Humphrey, Duke of

Gloucester; Thomas, Duke

of Clarence Hal’s brothers.

Lord Chief Justice of

England Falstaff’s nemesis.

Percy, Earl of

Northumberland

Rebel warlord.

Scrope, Archbishop of

York; Lord Bardolph; Lord

Mowbray; Lord Hastings;

Sir John Coleville

Rebellious nobles.

Sir John Falstaff Drinking

companion of Hal.

Ned Poins, Bardolph,

Ensign Pistol Followers

of Falstaff.

Mistress Quickly Hostess

of the Boar’s Head Tavern.

Doll Tearsheet A prostitute.

Kate The widow of Henry

Percy, Hotspur.

Robert Shallow Justice of

the Peace in Gloucestershire.

Silence A colleague

of Shallow.

Act 1 Act 2

1.2

2.1

INDUCTION

1.1

2.3

The Lord Chief

Justice rebukes

Falstaff for

misleading Hal.

Rumour introduces

the play’s themes of lies

and deception.

Northumberland

learns of Hotspur’s

death and agrees to

renew the

rebellion.

Hotspur’s widow

persuades his father

to flee to Scotland

rather than reinforce

the rebels.

Accused of breach of

promise by Mistress

Quickly, Falstaff

placates her

sufficiently to

borrow more funds.