Shakespeare Book Club

The authoritative edition of from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Henry IV, Part 2

is the only Shakespeare play that is a "sequel," in the modern sense, to an earlier play of his. Like most sequels, it repeats many elements from the previous work, . This play again puts on stage Henry IV's son, Prince Hal, who continues to conceal his potential greatness by consorting with tavern dwellers, including the witty Sir John Falstaff.Henry IV, Part 2Henry IV, Part 1

As in , Prince Hal and Falstaff seek to best each other in conversation, while Falstaff tries to ingratiate himself with Hal and Hal disdains him. adds some fresh characters, the rural justices Shallow and Silence and Shallow's household. Political rebellion, while important to the plot, does not loom as large as in . There are no glorious champions; combat…