Henry IV Part 1 abbreviated

Synopsis


Immediately following the murder at Pomfret Castle of Richard in Richard II, Henry IV, looking for atonement, had made plans to visit the Holy Land, but events in Wales and Scotland demanded his attention at home, and he never made that visit. This play opens with the king learning that Northumberland’s young son Harry Percy, known here as Hotspur, has captured thousands of Scottish troops, the good news in a mixed set of reports of military adventures. Northumberland had been a key ally in Henry IV’s successful effort to depose Richard II. The king is furious when he learns that Hotspur does not intend to turn his prisoners over to him; kings generally having their instructions followed. (Envy, Act 1, Scene 1) Hotspur and Prince Hal (or Prince Harry as he is addressed by his father) are about the same age, and much of the story is about them.

Separately, the often imprudent Prince Hal, the Prince of Wales, reluctantly agrees to indirectly participate in a robbery at Gad’s Hill, his willingness mostly based on his hope to embarrass his friend John Falstaff. Knowing he needs to reform his behavior, the young prince says to himself “When I throw off this loose behavior, I’ll imitate the sun, ever loyal to his earth-bound dependents.” (Introspection, Act 1, Scene 2)

Meanwhile, after some discussions, Hotspur offers to release his prisoners to the king if the king in turn will release his brother-in-law, the imprisoned Edmund Mortimer, the Earl of March. The king fears Mortimer as a threat to his crown, Richard II having suggested that Mortimer be his successor, Mortimer being Lionel’s grandson, Lionel being Edward III’s third son. The king will have none or it, saying to Hotspur “Henceforth let me not hear you speak of Mortimer.” Earlier the king had said of Mortimer “On the barren mountains let him starve.” Later, Northumberland and his brother, Worcester, convince Hotspur to release all of his Scottish prisoners, except for Douglas, and Hotspur does. Douglas, a young Scottish nobleman, known as the earl of Douglas, and Hotspur work together to defeat the king, both of them being confident, go-for-it young men. Also, separately, independently, and importantly Owen Glendower, the leader of the Welsh forces, releases Mortimer from prison. Mortimer proceeds to marry Glendower’s daughter. And Edmund Mortimer’s sister is Hotspur’s wife, also known as Lady Percy or Kate. Kate knows something is up and is frightened, and lets her husband know how she feels. (Wife to Husband, Act 2, Scene 3)

Meanwhile, the prince’s friends, Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto and Gadshill rob the travelers at Gad’s Hill. The instigators of the caper, Poins, along with Prince Hal, then rob Falstaff and the others, Falstaff being exposed for the coward he is. (Braggadocio, Act 2, Scene 4) The double-robbery succeeds, but the Gad’s Hill travelers contact the sheriff, who seeks out the “thieves” at the Eastcheap tavern. Prince Hal settles up with the court and in the doing makes a commitment to himself to in the future conduct himself in a more fitting manner, considering who he is. Separately, with Owen Glendower as the leader, Northumberland, Worcester, Hotspur and Mortimer make plans to defeat the king. As a side issue, Northumberland, the earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy, Hotspur’s father, is the royal who had been loyal to Richard II; then turned to Bolingbroke; then turned on Bolingbroke after he had become Henry IV. During the meeting among the “rebels” Hotspur is outspoken and defiantly criticizes Glendower. Neither Glendower nor Hotspur’s father, Northumberland, take the criticism lightly. Worcester takes his nephew Hotspur aside and lets him know that he has been out of line and that “he must learn to amend this fault.” (Counsel, Act 3, Scene 1)

Meanwhile the king and Prince Harry have a serious father-son conversation, the king letting him know that he and the country expect more in terms of conduct and decorum from the crown prince. The prince, as noted, is “Prince Hal” to his friends; “Prince Harry” to his father. During a sensitive and historic talk with his father, Prince Harry promises to redeem himself and make his father proud. And he does. (Father to Son, Act 3, Scene 2) (Son to Father, Act 3, Scene 2) Laying it on the line, the king lets his son know that he is counting on him to join the earl of Westmorland, (Ralph Neville) the king’s half-sister’s husband and his main aide, along with the prince’s younger brother, John of Lancaster, to lead his forces against the rebels at Shrewsbury; a group that will include Worcester, Douglas, and Hotspur. Prince Harry enlists Falstaff as one of his captains. Meanwhile at Shrewsbury, Hotspur learns that his father (Northumberland) is reported to be ill and won’t be able to join them. He learns that Owen Glendower has been delayed for two weeks and will not arrive at Shrewsbury in time to help. Richard Vernon, a close Hotspur ally, arrives and warns Hotspur that the king, his sons and Westmoreland are approaching. Vernon also informs him that Worcester has just arrived and that his men and horses are exhausted. Despite these ominous signs, Douglas and Hotspur press forward.

Representing the king, Sir Walter Blunt enters the rebel’s camp. On behalf of the king, Blunt asks Hotspur to describe his grievances. In telling Blunt of his displeasure with Henry IV, Hotspur gives us a good history of events that have led to this moment. (History, Act 4, Scene 3) On behalf of the king, Blunt offers Hotspur a pardon. Hotspur tells Blunt that he will have an answer for the king in the morning. Worcester and Vernon then visit the king the next morning, telling him why they and others broke with Richard II, supporting him, Bolingbroke, and now why they have turned on him as Henry IV. (History, Act 5, Scene 1) Prince Harry steps forward, offering a solution. He offers to fight Hotspur in a one-on-one duel, an option “to save blood for both sides.” (Chivalry, Act 5, Scene 1) As a further concession, the king tells Worcester that he will pardon all the rebels, accepting all of them as his friends. But the king makes it clear: if Hotspur does not accept his offered pardon, then all bets are off and the battle will begin.

Worcester and Vernon return to their camp. But Worcester convinces Vernon that they dare not tell Hotspur of the pardon offer made by the king, arguing that if they accept the pardon, the king will in due course seek retribution for some other reason. Worcester tells Hotspur that the battle must soon begin. Douglas visits the king’s camp, telling him that they’ve decided not accept the king’s pardon. It is then when Worcester tells Hotspur of the Prince’s one-on-one offer. But Hotspur dismisses it as just so much talk. Just before the fight is to begin, Shakespeare has Falstaff asking Prince Hal to treat him with special care. (Honor, Act 5, Scene 1) The battle of Shrewsbury is about to begin. Hotspur boldly and beautifully encourages his men. (Inspiration, Act 5, Scene 2) Blunt enters the battle disguised as the king. He and Douglas fight and Blunt is killed. Douglas re-enters and engages the king in a fight, wounding him. Prince Harry comes to his father’s aid. Douglas flees. Hotspur enters. Prince Harry says to Hotspur “Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere, nor can one England brook a double reign of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales.” The prince and Hotspur fight. Hotspur is killed. The battle of Shrewsbury ends. Worcester and Vernon are captured and the king has them executed. Douglas is captured and released. The king gathers his forces to decide the most appropriate way to deal with Northumberland, Glendower and Mortimer.


Principal Characters


Falstaff.
Falstaff is a witty, prone to fibbing, heavy drinking, and cowardly ne’er-do-well friend of Prince Hal’s. Through Falstaff, Shakespeare develops Prince Hal from an undisciplined youth to a supreme leader of men, in due course becoming one of England’s revered kings, Henry V.

Henry IV.
Henry IV is England’s king, having usurped the crown from his cousin Richard in Richard II, having gained wide-spread support from the public, while Richard II was losing favor. Henry IV is the son of John of Gaunt through what is called the Legitimate line; John of Gaunt being Edward III’s fourth son; Edward III being the revered patriarch of all these kings and all these Plantagenets, the family’s surname.

Hotspur.
Hotspur is Harry (or Henry) Percy, and is Northumberland’s son. He and his father were introduced in Richard II as supporters of Bolingbroke. Hotspur has a take-charge personality; harboring hopes to succeed Henry IV as England’s king. Hotspur’s break with Henry IV comes as a result of the king’s unwillingness to release Edmund Mortimer, his brother-in-law. Hotspur is married to Kate, Philippa’s daughter, Edmund Mortimer’s sister, Lionel’s granddaughter, Edward III’s great-granddaughter, making him a legitimate contender to England’s throne.

Mortimer.
Mortimer is Edmund Mortimer, the second son of Philippa, the daughter of Lionel, the Duke of Clarence, Edward III’s third son. Mortimer is married to Owen Glendower’s daughter, Glendower being a Welsh leader. Mortimer had been designated by Richard II to be his successor. Henry IV fears him for who he is and for his family connections.

Prince Harry.
Prince Harry is the Prince of Wales, known as Prince Harry to his father, as Prince Hal to his friends, and as Harry Monmouth to Hotspur, having been born in Monmouth, Wales. As a young man, Prince Hal is perceived by the public as a rascal, mostly because of the suspect company he keeps. He makes a commitment to his father midway through the play to conduct himself in a manner more fitting to his royal position, and then honors the commitment.

Worcester.
Worcester is Thomas Percy, Northumberland’s brother and Hotspur’s uncle. Worcester stays loyal and close to Hotspur right up to the end of the play, when he misleads him, leading to his and Hotspur’s death.

 A portrait of William Shakespeare