Shakespeare: The history plays of Henry

The second set of history plays (which precede the first four in historical date but proceed them in writing date) offer a fascinating character study of what it means to be king. They share with the audience (and reader alike) the lives of three kings of England: Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V.

When “Richard II” opens, we are set upon with a king too concerned with worldly possessions, fashion, and cronies, and not nearly focused enough on his own monarchial duties. He is disconnected with the common man, and this makes it very easy for Henry Bolingbroke to usurp him.

Bolingbroke does just that, and the first comparison of kings can be drawn. Richard is a poet, and uses highly stylized poetry throughout the play to express himself. In fact he seems to use his poetry to pretend his problems do not exist, a theme that was used when first Bolingbroke was banished from England. Bolingbroke, now Henry IV, is quite different. He is a pragmatist and refuses to see the world through the rose colored glasses of his cousin and predecessor. He also shows that he is (at least on the surface) more connected with the people, and has their favor. Thus it was fairly easy for him to sway the current nobility to his cause and take the

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In this he shows that his personal life will not get in the way of his duty as King, and he will serve justice in kind to all people, common or otherwise, friend or foe. Bardolph knew the price of his actions and chose to overstep him friendly bounds by stepping on the very fiber of Henry’s existence. Hal also shows a good king must be in touch with the common people and beloved by them in order to rule properly.

And I say he is a great leader in the light of the comparisons made by Shakespeare. As a symbol of this choice and metamorphosis Henry chooses as his father figure The Lord Chief Justice, and rejects Falstaff. Were Henry to let him be it would have shown his weakness and inevitably caused another usurpation. That Hal used Falstaff to further his education and merriment I have no question. To this I do not fault him, but rather admire him for he cross he must bare, and the way he chooses to bare it. He criticizes Hal for not being more like this youth. Henry has a job to do, and must perform it to the letter lest he lose it. But in doing so, how much has he given up of morals?

The first of this is tasted when he rejects Falstaff in “2 Henry IV”. He must stave off constant civil war and becomes quite miserable and old before his time. In this he shows faults much the same as his father and second cousin and allows himself to be occupied with concerns other than the kingdom.

Approximate Word count = 1384
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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