Context
William Shakespeare is likely the most influential writer in the English language. The son of a mildly successful glove-maker, Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in northern England. He married in 1582 and had three children. Around 1590, at the height of the English Renaissance, he left his family behind and traveled to London to work as an actor and playwright. Both public and critical success quickly followed. Shakespeare's career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, and he was a favorite of both monarchs. James granted Shakespeare and his company the greatest possible compliment by making them the king's players. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two, the author of numerous sonnets and 38 remarkable plays, some of which were not only inarguably brilliant, but so influential as to effect the course of literature and culture ever after. From time to time controversies flare up about whether Shakespeare, a man of middling education and stature, could possibly be the author of such incredible literature. Many theories are forwarded, offering the credit of authorship to such diverse figures as Sir Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, or the Earl of Oxford. But in the absence of definitiv
The Percys gather a formidable set of allies around them: leaders of large rebel armies from Scotland and Wales, as well as powerful English nobles and clergymen who have grievances against King Henry. (The play which comes before it is Richard II; it is followed by 2 Henry IV--that is, Henry IV Part 2--and Henry V. Mistress Quickly - Hostess of the Boar's Head Tavern, a seedy dive in Eastcheap, London. SummaryKing Henry IV, the aging king of England, is very disappointed in his son: everybody in the land knows that Prince Hal, the heir to the throne, spends most of his time in taverns on the seedy side of London, hanging around with highwaymen and vagrants. Hal's Friends:Ned Poins, Peto, Bardolph - Criminals and highwaymen, these are friends of Falstaff and of Prince Hal, who drink with them in the Boar's Head Tavern, accompany them in highway robbery, and come with them to the war. That's because aristocratic characters in Shakespeare are sometimes referred to by the name of the piece of land they hold title to, as well as by their family or given name, or their nickname. Gadshill - Another highwayman friend of Hal, Falstaff and the rest. The civil war is decided in a great battle at Shrewsbury. Falstaff has many historical precedents: he owes much to archetypes like the figure of Vice from the medieval morality plays and Gluttony from the "seven deadly sins" pageants; the arrogant soldier (miles gloriosus) from classical Roman comedy; and the Lord of Misrule from folk festival tradition (see the Norton Anthology). He is also sometimes called "Harry" (usually by his father, King Henry, as in III. He is the only one of the bunch who can match Hal's quick wit, pun for pun. Special Note: - One of the greatest challenges in reading Shakespeare's history plays is keeping track of all the names and relationships between people: the plays are crammed with major and minor players. Kate, with whom he has certain communication problems.
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Acceptance Essays
