King Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
"The First Part of King Henry the Fourth" by William Shakespeare is a historical play written in the late 16th century. The narrative revolves around the reign of King Henry IV and the conflicts that arise from both external foes and internal strife, particularly focusing on the rebellious nature of young Harry Percy, known as Hotspur, and the complexities of Prince Hal's character. The play delves into themes of honor, leadership, and
the contrast between the responsibilities of royalty and the temptations of a more carefree life. At the start of the play, the audience is introduced to King Henry IV, who is concerned about the state of England and the threat posed by rebellious factions, particularly those led by Percy and Glendower. As the King discusses these issues with his noble compatriots, we are also introduced to Prince Hal and Sir John Falstaff, who engage in humorous banter that contrasts sharply with the serious political intrigue. The opening sets the stage for the mounting tensions, with multiple characters expressing their ambitions and grievances, hinting at the impending conflicts and explorations of friendship, loyalty, and personal identity that will unfold throughout the play. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
|---|---|
| Title | King Henry IV, Part 1 |
| Alternate Title | King Henry IV Part 1 |
| Note | Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV,_Part_1 |
| Note | The First Folio, 1623 |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 87.2 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413 -- Drama |
| Subject | Historical drama |
| Subject | Great Britain -- History -- Henry IV, 1399-1413 -- Drama |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 1115 |
| Release Date | Nov 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated | Sep 22, 2025 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 290 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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