Henry Iv, Part I: A History

After overthrowing his predecessor, King Henry IV is acutely aware of the delicate political tensions he must balance to protect his throne. On one hand, he must rein in his son, the mischievous Prince Hal, who has left the court for a life of drinking and pleasure. At the same time, he must put down a rebellion of some of the most powerful families in England. Henry IV, Part I is the second of four connected plays about successive British monarchs, including Richard II, Henry IV, Part II, and Henry V.

Known as “The Bard of Avon,” William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare’s works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare’s innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech.

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