Henry IV is considered the best of Shakespeare's historical plays, especially the first part of Henry IV.
In terms of structure, Henry IV changed the past pure historical drama model and began to try to combine with comedy. In terms of imagery, Shakespeare does not need to use moral preaching, but to express his views with some scenes of struggle, adventure or comedy. In fact, Shakespeare hopes to express the immortal spirit of England through some scenes of battles and wars.
Many of the plots in Henry IV are also based on the Chronicle by the British chronicler Raphael Hollingshead. However, there are also many plots that change the real historical facts according to the needs of the plot. For example, the age of Hotspo and the prince and so on.
From Charles II we know that Henry IV became king by usurping the throne, so from Henry IV onwards, the Lancaster family has been criticized. They have been denouncing the illegitimateness of lancaster heirs.
Henry IV tells the story of Henry IV preparing an expedition to the Holy Land to atone for Charles II's sins. In fact, this expedition plan had another purpose, that is, to weaken the power of the nobles. Unfortunately, before his plan was implemented, he was already besieged by various people. He could only abandon the expedition plan for the time being.
King Henry's son, the Prince of Wales, was a promiscuous man who made friends every day and never shared the affairs of the country for King Henry. King Henry was very disappointed in his son. But in reality, Wales is just in Taoguang. Although he did not go close to the political center, he always understood the sufferings of the people, analyzed the national conditions, and laid the foundation for the implementation of effective political power in the future.
When King Henry rebuked Wales for being rude and rogue, Wales began to go the right way, starting to fight for his own reputation. He fought bloody battles on the battlefield, brave and resourceful. Helped King Henry repel the enemy forces.
Wales, who had shown heroism on the battlefield, had some differences with King Henry, but later reconciled. When King Henry was terminally ill, he did not have complete trust in Wales, fearing that Wales would not be able to fulfill the responsibilities of a monarch. But Wales expressed to King Henry his confidence and some views on the country. King Henry did not look at Wales and relieved to hand over the throne to him.
Henry IV is depicted through two main lines, in addition to the main line of Henry IV and his son The Prince of Wales, there is also the main line of the comedic character Falstaff. Falstaff was born into a declining aristocratic family, after which he became a soldier. But he did not have the chivalry of a soldier, but was greedy for life and afraid of death. Falstaff has always lived a life of hedonism like a parasite. On the battlefield, he took bribes to assemble an army of beggars. In order to avoid his own injury, he also faked his death on the battlefield. When Henry V ascended the throne, Falstaff rushed forward to talk. Unfortunately, Henry V is no longer the prodigal prince he once was, and has already drawn a line with him.
Henry IV
In fact, Henry IV was a very far-sighted king. He knew that he was not the legitimate heir to the king and would sooner or later be attacked by the nobles. So he planned to carry out a plan of expeditions to the Holy Land to win hearts and minds. Unfortunately, before the plan could be implemented, it was already crusaded by the nobles.
Henry IV knew it was a long war, so he pinned all his hopes on his son Welsh. But he was heartbroken because of his son's deviance. When he saw his son's change, he began to rebuild his faith in him. All command was given to Wales.
During the reign of Henry IV, all the political battles he experienced were very difficult. He not only had to stabilize the existing military morale, but also to win over the imperial family and magnates. All these battles also exhausted his body, and he eventually fell ill and died at the age of forty-seven. It can be seen that Henry IV was more powerful. At least before his death, he helped stabilize the welsh regime.
Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales is a man of great foresight on the surface, but a man of foresight on the inside. His ability to form a brave and warlike army in a short period of time and help King Henry defeat the enemy shows that he is a natural leader. After he proved his practical talents to his father, he was given all the command. This time the right gave him the opportunity to show his fists.
Wales had actually been growing up with Charles II and was well educated. This growing environment brought him knowledge and vision, which helped him grow into an excellent monarch.
In fact, Wales was the ideal king in Shakespeare's heart, which was later Henry V. He is not only bold and resourceful, but also able to perceive the sufferings of the people and understand the people's feelings and grievances. Helping to correct his father's usurpation of the throne won more hearts and minds for the Lancaster family.
Falstaff
Falstaff is a clown figure. In fact, he existed to contrast him with the Prince of Wales. He is also used to represent the decay and vanity of the decadent aristocrats.
Falstaff is also a major figure in Shakespeare's comedy style. He is bloated and hangs out at the bottom of society every day like a city scoundrel. But he lived a carefree and brazen life. Every day, he took pleasure in being abducted and deceived, indulging in the alley of the sound and color of dogs and horses. Like a clown throughout this play.
Falstaff lived in a period of social transition that was in the midst of a transition from feudalism to capitalism. In fact, he also represents all those who have not adapted to the transformation of the times. They can't actively respond to changes in society, so they can only get by and have fun in time.
In fact, the protagonist of "Henry IV" is not Henry IV, but seems to be Henry V. And the content of the story seems to be paving the way for Henry V. Or rather, the play mainly tells the growth of Henry V.
But in any case, this play can be called an immortal masterpiece in terms of art form.
The main characters in the play all have distinct but conflicting contradictory personalities. The Prince of Wales was a promiscuous prince, but also a bold and strategic king. Hotspo is a fiery and proud man, but he is also a brave and heroic knight. Falstaff is a cowardly and incompetent clown, but a man with an optimistic nature and a carefree life.
In fact, in the play "Henry IV", the most interesting thing is not the Prince of Wales, but the clown character of Falstaff. He is a very typical comedic character in Shakespeare's plays. His humor and absurdity have absorbed many fans.
He was a knight, but he didn't have any chivalry. He had the status of an aristocrat, but he was a declining nobleman. So he lived like a beggar. He was drunk and lustful, and he had a big belly.
Falstaff is actually a city gangster, but he climbs the ladder of the prince. This made him feel that his status had become noble. He did everything in his power to please the prince. In the second act of Henry IV, he actually played the king, acting with the Prince of Wales. While everyone was laughing at his stupidity, almost all of his appearances were ugly. But Falstaff's greatest advantage is that he is thick-skinned and does not care at all about the ridicule of others.
The role of Falstaff has always been loved by the general audience from the queen down. In fact, everyone treats him like a clown in the circus, a comedic image that can make everyone laugh.
It was the success of the character of Falstaff that led to a new peak in Shakespeare's theatrical creation.
The audience watching the play is elizabethan, and when they watch the play, in addition to laughing at the comedy part, they will also have a deep worry about the deep meaning expressed in the historical part of the play. They don't know what kind of era change they will face after the elizabethan era is over.
In fact, the central idea of Shakespeare's play is not a single person, but a concern for the future of England as a whole. In addition to watching, the audience will reflect on the deep meaning behind the historical drama, which is the real value of watching history.
Therefore, the reason why Shakespeare's historical drama stands out is precisely because his historical drama is not only recounting history, but more of a satire on the past and the present, calling on everyone to learn from history.